The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
New aviation deals raise flight limits between China and Central Asia
Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan agreed to higher weekly flight limits with Beijing, while a separate agreement allows more services between Tashkent, Almaty and Astana. Airlines are also exploring new regional routes, although rising operating costs remain a concern.
China has agreed to raise weekly flight limits with Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, expanding cross-border air mobility in the region.
Uzbekistan and China will increase their weekly flight limit from 100 to 114, per the agreement reached in Tashkent.
Kazakhstan and China will boost its permitted weekly frequencies from 150 to 180 and add Chengdu and Kashgar to the list of destinations for approval.
Separately, a deal between Kazakhstan and China will extend services on regional routes between the two countries, including higher frequencies on routes between Tashkent and Almaty and Astana (from 42 to 60 on those two routes), with other routes rising from 14 to 20 weekly flights.
The arrangements build on the Air Silk Road initiative, aimed at opening new routes and easing cross-border operations, with collaborative development between Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, China, and other regional partners noted in related agreements and statements.