Uzbekistan Airways launches new direct routes to Europe, skipping Russian airspace

Uzbekistan Airways has introduced new direct flights to Europe, bypassing Russian airspace, following guidance from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This change comes as part of the airline's efforts to ensure safety and optimize its flight routes.

Since January 20, 2025, Uzbekistan Airways has been rerouting its flights through Azerbaijan and Türkiye, avoiding Russian territory. A spokesperson from the airline explained that this is a precautionary measure and, in part, an effort to optimize flight routes.

The rerouted flights have resulted in longer distances. For example, the Tashkent-Munich route, which previously flew over Russia, has increased from 4,849 kilometers to 5,156 kilometers. As a result, flight times have been extended by 30 to 40 minutes each way, leading to higher operational costs for the airline.

However, the airline’s Chairman of the Board confirmed that ticket prices will remain unchanged, stating, “This is a force majeure situation, and passengers should not bear the costs of these changes.”

The decision follows a tragic incident on December 25, 2024, when an Azerbaijan Airlines flight crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, after being struck by a missile from Russia's air defense system killing 38 people.

In a related move, Uzbekistan’s Qanot Sharq airline suspended flights to Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Nizhny Novgorod earlier in January, citing "operational necessity."

Copied