Fast developing Uzbek carrier Air Samarkand is to launch its latest international scheduled service to the Israeli capital of Tel Aviv, starting on May 4th.  

The new once weekly service will operate every Sunday on the Samarkand-Tel Aviv route with a modern Air Samarkand Airbus A321 aircraft. The 5.5-hour flights will depart from Samarkand in Uzbekistan at 06:00 am, arriving in Tel Aviv five and a half hours later at 09:25 am local time. Return services will depart from Tel Aviv at 11:20 am, arriving back in the historic city of Samarkand at 18:40 pm local time.

The latest development of the Air Samarkand route network will strengthen the development of tourist and business ties between Uzbekistan and Israel, whilst also linking two historically and culturally rich cities.

“The launch of regular flights to Tel Aviv is an important step in the further development of ties between Uzbekistan and Israel,” said Zafar Butayev, CEO of Air Samarkand. “We see significant demand both from the business community, and from tourist and pilgrim travellers for a convenient and competitive service that links these two culturally rich cities. It is also another step forward in the expansion of our route network,” he said.

The development coincides with recent initiatives to strengthen cooperation between Uzbekistan and Israel. In 2024, Israel supported Uzbekistan’s application to join the World Trade Organization, and in January this year representatives from Uzbekistan and Israel discussed labour migration issues, with the aim of expanding cooperation in the social and economic spheres.

Located on the Mediterranean Sea coast, Tel Aviv is known for its picturesque beaches, modern architecture and rich cultural life. Tel Aviv serves as a gateway to Israel’s holy sites, including Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Nazareth, making it an attractive destination for believers of various faiths. In addition, the city offers a variety of opportunities for shopping, gastronomic discoveries and participation in cultural events.

For travellers from Israel, the new flight provides convenient access to Samarkand, the historical centre of the Great Silk Road and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition, the growing market of Uzbekistan is of interest to Israeli investors and businesses, and the launch of regular flights will greatly simplify business travel.

The start of flight operations to Tel Aviv forms the latest part of Air Samarkand’s strategy to expand its international route network. In 2025, the airline plans to increase the frequency of services to key destinations and add new international city destinations. The Uzbekistan carrier also continues to develop its fleet by investing in modern aircraft and improving customer service to strengthen its position in the Central Asian market.

In 2024 Air Samarkand began its first scheduled services in March to the Turkish capital of Istanbul and subsequently opened destinations to Abu Dhabi and Al Ain in the UAE, the religious Saudi cities of Jeddah and Medina, the tourism hot-spots of Nha Trang and Phú Quốc in Vietnam, and Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt from both Samarkand and Tashkent.

In addition, Air Samarkand provides a domestic shuttle service linking Samarkand to Tashkent, to support domestic workers and leisure travelers wanting to fly between the two cities.

It has also operated charter flights to the cities of Batumi, Delhi, Dhaka, Dubai, Islamabad, Tbilisi and other cities. The most popular destination was Jeddah, with Air Samarkand operating flights from five cities in Uzbekistan (departing from Samarkand, Bukhara, Fergana, Namangan and Termez), while services to Egypt, Vietnam and Turkey were also in high demand.

Samarkand is a cultural gem of Central Asia and an important transport hub on the historic Silk Road, which is now taking on a new meaning and understanding as visitor numbers soar. The city of Samarkand is actively modernizing, offering international tourists a unique combination of historical sights and modern infrastructure, with Air Samarkand committed to supporting the development of tourism in the region.