Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 30 May, Sariosiyo Airport received its first regular flight operated by Silk Avia. The aircraft, arriving from Tashkent, successfully landed at 15:41 local time, carrying 48 passengers. To mark this significant occasion, the plane was ceremoniously greeted with a water salute, while passengers were welcomed with traditional sounds of the karnay and surnay.

Air service on the Tashkent – Sariosiyo – Tashkent route will now operate twice a week, on Wednesdays and Fridays, using modern ATR-72-600 turboprop aircraft.

As previously reported, before resuming operations, the airport underwent major renovations of its airfield infrastructure: the runway, taxiway, and apron with aircraft parking stands were all upgraded. The airport handled its first technical flight on 29 April.

In addition, within the last month, construction was completed on a new passenger terminal covering 1,100 square meters, designed to accommodate up to 100 people simultaneously. Today, Sariosiyo officially began accepting passengers on regular flights.

It is important to note that civil flights to Sariosiyo were suspended in 1995. After two decades, the airport has reopened, becoming the fifth regional air hub to resume operations in recent years. Previously, the airports of Muynak, Kokand, Shakhrisabz, and Zaamin underwent reconstruction and were put back into service.