Regular flights will be launched between Izmir and Tashkent, according to a report from Uzbek news outlet yuz.uz. The announcement signals a new direct air link between Türkiye's Aegean coast and the capital of Uzbekistan, strengthening bilateral travel and trade ties.
The route will connect Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport with Tashkent International Airport. The frequency and launch date have not been disclosed in the report.
Izmir is Türkiye's third-largest city and a key tourism gateway for the Aegean region, including popular destinations such as Ephesus, Pamukkale, and the seaside resorts of Çeşme and Alaçatı. Tashkent serves as the primary hub for Uzbekistan's growing tourism sector, which has seen increased investment in recent years.
The new service is expected to cater to both leisure travellers and business passengers. Uzbekistan has been actively promoting its cultural heritage sites, including Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, which are accessible from Tashkent. For Turkish outbound travellers, Uzbekistan offers visa-free entry for stays of up to 30 days.
Why it matters
The Izmir–Tashkent route fills a gap in air connectivity between western Türkiye and Central Asia. Previously, travellers from the Aegean region had to connect via Istanbul or other hubs. The direct flights will reduce travel time and simplify itineraries for tour operators packaging multi-destination trips.
For Uzbekistan's tourism board, the link provides direct access to a large source market in Türkiye, which has strong cultural and linguistic ties with Uzbekistan. Turkish hotel chains and travel companies have been expanding in Uzbekistan, and improved airlift supports further investment.
The route also benefits the MICE segment, as Izmir has a growing convention centre and Tashkent hosts international business events. The flight may stimulate two-way trade beyond tourism, including textiles, agriculture, and construction materials.
No carrier has been named in the report, but the service is likely to be operated by a Turkish or Uzbek airline. The development aligns with Türkiye's strategy to expand its aviation network into Central Asia and with Uzbekistan's goal to increase annual tourist arrivals.
