Uzbek airline Air Samarkand is set to expand its international network by launching a new direct route to Tel Aviv, Israel on May 4, 2025. The fast-developing carrier, based in Samarkand International Airport, says they are committed to supporting the rise of tourism in their area while letting their own customers travel to global hotspots.
Samarkand to Tel Aviv
The weekly service to Tel Aviv will operate every Sunday using an Airbus A321. The flight duration will be 5 hours 30 minutes, with departures from Samarkand taking place at 06:00 a.m., arriving in Tel Aviv at 09:25 local time. Return services will depart from Tel Aviv at 11:20 a.m., arriving back in Uzbekistan at 18:40 local time.
The new route is expected to boost both tourism and business travel between the two countries, strengthening their bilateral ties. Zafar Butayev, CEO of Air Samarkand said:
We see significant demand both from the business community and from tourist and pilgrim travellers for a convenient and competitive service that links these two culturally rich cities. It is also another step forward in the expansion of our route network.
The new development coincides with recent initiatives to strengthen the cooperation between Uzbekistan and Israel. For example, Israel contributed to Uzbekistan’s application to join the World Trade Organisation in 2024.
Additionally, Tel Aviv serves as a gateway to Israel’s holy sites such as Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Nazareth, making it an attractive destinations for travellers of various faiths. In return, Samarkand offers convenient access to the historical centre of the Great Silk Road and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The initiation of flights to Tel Aviv forms the latest part of Air Samarkand’s strategy to develop its international route network. In 2025, the airline plans to increase its flight frequencies to key destinations, as well as add new international city getaways. The Uzbekistan carrier also plans to continue its modernisation of its fleet and improve its customer service in order to strengthen its position in the Central Asian market.
Air Samarkand’s routes
In March 2024, Air Samarkand began its first scheduled service to Istanbul, followed by the addition of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain in the UAE. Soon, the airline opened routes to the religious Saudi cities of Jeddah and Medina, tourism hot-spots of Nha Trang and Phú Quoc, and Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt from both Samarkand and Tashkent.
The airline provides a domestic shuttle service between Samarkand and Tashkent in order to support workers and leisure travellers wanting to fly between the two cities. Air Samarkand operates from five Uzbek cities: Samarkand, Bukhara, Fergana, Namangan and Termez.
Samarkand itself is described as a ‘cultural gem’ within Central Asia. The city is actively modernising, offering international tourists a unique combination of historic sights and modern infrastructure.
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