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Flydubai marks start of flights to Uzbekistan

Flydubai hasinaugurated its new service from Dubai to Tashkent, becoming the first carrier based in the UAE to offer direct flights to Uzbekistan.
The inaugural flight departed on March 11 from Terminal 3, Dubai International (DXB) and was welcomed on arrival at Tashkent International Airport (TAS). On board the inaugural flight was a senior delegation from the UAE led by Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Minister of Economy in the UAE, as well as officials from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce. On arrival at Tashkent, the delegation was received by the Deputy Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan, Shuhrat Vafaev, and plenipotentiary ambassador of the UAE to Uzbekistan, Mohammed Al Mehairbi.
Al Mansoori emphasised on the importance of the event, further pointing out that the country maintains a leading position in the global air transport map and serves as an important center for enhancing global connectivity through its sophisticated international airports and air carriers with world-class reputation and a wide network of destinations. He also stated that the civil aviation sector continues to serve as a major pillar in the vision adopted by the UAE, under the guidance of its leadership, to strengthen economic relations and establish partnerships with various developing countries. This sector is also seen as one of the main channels for increasing trade rates and investments and enhancing tourism and cultural exchange.
The inauguration of flydubai's direct route between Dubai and Tashkent represents an important step in the move to reinforce economic and trade ties between the two countries - expanding the UAE's economic partnerships with the Central Asian region and empowering the business community in both countries to intensify communication and visits, which helps create opportunities like establishing projects and commercial exchanges that are mutually beneficial to both UAE and Uzbekistan. Lastly, he commended flydubai's pioneering role in supporting the UAE's air link with world-class and new destinations, which in turn, will support the growth of the national economy.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai, said: "Uzbekistan is an important trade partner for the UAE and the start of flights to Tashkent represents a significant milestone in helping to strengthen commercial ties between us. We are pleased to be the first UAE carrier to launch direct flights between Dubai and Tashkent, opening up another underserved market in Central Asia and supporting Dubai's vision of creating flows of travel and trade."
Total overnight visitors from Uzbekistan to Dubai in 2018 increased by 6.3 per cent compared to 2017. In addition, Uzbekistan has already established itself as the fourth largest source market for visitors to Dubai from the region. After recording a total trade volume of $110.3 million in 2017, the UAE and Uzbekistan signed an agreement in 2018 to set up a $1 billion investment fund to aid the promotion of economic cooperation and increase flows of trade and tourism.
- business@khaleejtimes.com