Air Samarkand Suspends Flights to Tel Aviv and Istanbul Until Spring 2026

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Private airline Air Samarkand is suspending two of its regular routes.

Flights between Samarkand and Tel Aviv will be halted from 12 October, while services from Samarkand to Istanbul will stop on 13 October. The carrier plans to resume both routes in the spring of 2026.

According to the airline’s press service, the suspension is due to a fleet and route network restructuring.

Air Samarkand guarantees a full refund for purchased tickets. Passengers who bought tickets via the airline’s website can request a refund by emailing complaints@samair.uz, while those who purchased tickets through agencies, ticket offices, or third-party websites are advised to contact their seller directly.

Earlier in September, reports surfaced about salary delays affecting around 50 Russian employees who had not received payments since June, including funds for accommodation and food. Air Samarkand acknowledged the financial challenges, citing unplanned aircraft maintenance, and emphasized that all employees are being treated equally in the payment process.

To address the issue, the airline is negotiating with investors and partners, optimizing expenses, and preparing new flight programs.

Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction has taken the situation under supervision. The Labor Inspectorate has filed lawsuits with the Samarkand City Court totaling 1.5 billion soums to recover unpaid wages for about ten employees.