Minister of Transportation and Road Safety Miri Regev and Uzbekistan's Ambassador to Israel Feruza Makhmudova signed Wednesday a protocol that could see a major boost in the volume of tourists arriving from both countries.
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The document amends the Air Transport Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Government of the State of Israel, which was first signed on July 4, 1994.
The new wording essentially lifts the caps on the amount of carriers that were allowed to fly into both countries, as well as removes the limits on the destinations that they could fly into. According to a statement from the embassy, this would create a "more efficient air communication between the two countries."
Since the original document was signed some 30 years ago, flights on the Tashkent – Tel-Aviv – Tashkent route have been operated by Uzbekistan Airways, but this year Qanot Sharq Airlines began flying a new route: Samarkand – Tel Aviv – Samarkand.
Video: People wait in line at Ben-Gurion International Airport / Credit: Israel Hayom
Just this past week, Uzbekistan hosted a media delegation from Israel in a move that was aimed at introducing the new route to the ancient city – once the epicenter of the Silk Road – to the general Israeli public, potentially making it a preferred vacationing point. The new airport in the city, which was integrated in 2022, has received rave reviews and Israel Hayom, which took part in the media delegation, can confirm it provides a smooth and pleasurable travel experience, making Uzbekistan a potential hot-spot for emerging Israeli tourism to Central Asia.
"The signing of this document provides new opportunities for the air markets of the two countries to open promising air routes, attract new airlines and increase mutual tourist flows," the statement from the embassy on Wednesday read. "In 2022, more than 12,000 Israeli citizens visited Uzbekistan. Since 2018, a 30-day visa-free regime is available to Israeli citizens to enter Uzbekistan," it continued.
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