Uzbekistan and Kuwait Agree to Increase Flights to 28 Per Week

Uzbekistan and Kuwait have signed a new air service agreement, which will allow airlines from both countries to operate up to 28 flights per week. Until now, flights between the two countries were regulated by a 1994 agreement that restricted the number of airlines to one from each side. In recent years, both countries have introduced new airlines, necessitating a revision of the agreement to expand opportunities for both public and private carriers.

Key updates in the agreement:

Liberalization of the aviation market: The limitation on the number of airlines is lifted, creating conditions for free competition and expanding access to new routes.

Increase in the number of flights: Airlines can now operate up to 14 flights per week from each side, totaling 28 flights per week in both directions.

Permission for flights from all airports: Uzbek and Kuwaiti airlines are allowed to fly from any airport within their countries, which is particularly beneficial for Uzbekistan’s regional airports aiming to increase passenger traffic.

The agreement opens up significant opportunities for tourism and business exchange. In 2023, over 95,000 Uzbek pilgrims traveled for Umrah via Kuwait, often taking short tourism breaks within Kuwait. In turn, approximately 1,000 Kuwaiti tourists visited Uzbekistan, with many continuing their travels to Osh (Kyrgyzstan).

The decision to increase weekly flights to 28 is aimed at meeting the demand for direct flights, facilitating short-term visits for Kuwaiti citizens to Uzbekistan, and fostering pilgrimage tourism. Additionally, it will help establish new routes in regional airports and boost tourism, particularly within the framework of the pilgrimage tourism program.

Uzbekistan expects that enhanced air service conditions with Kuwait will not only increase passenger traffic but also stimulate economic cooperation. It is anticipated that Uzbekistan will become even more accessible for Kuwaiti tourists and businesspeople, while the new conditions will create further opportunities for tourism and international business in both countries.