Kyrgyzstan's Asman Airlines has launched direct flights on the Tamchy (Issyk-Kul) to Tashkent route, according to a statement from Uzbekistan Airports.

On July 15 at 11:14 AM local time, the airline's aircraft operating the inaugural flight from Tamchy landed at Tashkent International Airport. In accordance with aviation tradition, the plane was greeted with a water salute. The first flight carried 68 passengers from Tashkent to Issyk-Kul.

Flights are operated weekly on Wednesdays using Dash 8-400 aircraft on a charter basis. Asman Airlines thus becomes the second carrier to launch flights on this route during the current summer season. Local airline Centrum Air already operates regular flights on the Tashkent-Issyk-Kul route.

According to Uzbekistan Airports, the Kyrgyz carrier plans to expand its flight geography to Uzbekistan. Specifically, it intends to open the Tashkent-Osh route before the autumn season and the Tashkent-Karakol route during the winter season.

The possibility of launching flights between Bishkek and Tashkent, as well as with airports in the Fergana Valley, is also being considered. These plans were discussed during a meeting between representatives of Uzbekistan Airports and Asman Airlines on May 15 of this year.

Asman Airlines is a state-owned carrier of Kyrgyzstan and a subsidiary of Kyrgyz Airports JSC. The airline operates turboprop Dash 8 Q400 aircraft. Currently, it serves major cities in Kyrgyzstan as well as international destinations including Almaty and Khujand.

Since June 8, seasonal bus services have been launched between Tashkent and Issyk-Kul (Cholpon-Ata). Buses run on even days from Tashkent and on odd days from Issyk-Kul. Ticket price is 365,000 soums.

Source: www.gazeta.uz