Uzbek carrier Air Samarkand is launching a new scheduled service to Tel Aviv, Israel, starting May 4th, 2025. This new flight will operate weekly on Sundays using an Airbus A321 aircraft.

The journey will take approximately 5.5 hours, departing from Samarkand at 6:00 AM and arriving in Tel Aviv at 9:25 AM local time. The return flight will leave Tel Aviv at 11:20 AM, landing back in Samarkand at 6:40 PM.

CEO Zafar Butayev stated, “The launch of regular flights to Tel Aviv is an important step in the further development of ties between Uzbekistan and Israel. 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.”

This new route is significant for enhancing travel and business connections between the two nations. It aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly as Israel supported Uzbekistan’s WTO accession and has engaged in discussions about labor migration to boost socio-economic ties.

For Israeli travelers, this new flight offers easy access to Samarkand, historically a key location along the Great Silk Road and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This initiative is also expected to attract Israeli investors looking to tap into the growing market in Uzbekistan while facilitating business travel.

The introduction of this route marks a continued expansion strategy for Air Samarkand, which plans to boost service frequency and add more international destinations throughout the year.