Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 12 June 2020, the Minister of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan signed the Order on the introduction of the Open Skies regime at airports in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Open Skies mode is introduced from 1 August 2020, valid until the end of the IATA Winter 2022/2023 season, with the possibility of further extension:

- at the airports of Karshi, Nukus, Termez, Bukhara, Navoi and Urgench without any restrictions, taking into account the technical capabilities of airports, including the 5th air freedom;

- at the airports of Andijan, Ferghana, Namangan and Samarkand with the granting to all foreign airlines of the member states of the International Civil Aviation Organization the right to perform passenger flights to the indicated airports without limiting frequencies, taking into account the technical capabilities of airports, including 5th air freedom, along the routes on which the designated carriers of the Republic of Uzbekistan do not operate;

- at the airports of Navoi and Termez, foreign airlines are granted the right to operate cargo flights, including 7th freedom of air;

- At the airport in Samarkand, the Open Skies mode will be introduced upon completion of reconstruction work.

“The purpose of introducing this regime is to increase the tourist flow to the republic and increase its potential as a center of regional aviation. If a tourist arriving in our country gets a good impression, he will definitely visit our republic again. And he will call for other people to do so. Therefore, the infrastructure will be updated at all regional airports. At the airports, all amenities for passengers will be created,” - noted the Deputy Minister of Transport Jasurbek Choriev.

The Open Skies mode will require additional labor and services. Local leaders, attracting travel agencies to increase the flow of tourists, will introduce new types of services. Regional airports, working independently and based on their capabilities, will strive to attract more passengers. Each airport will be interested in introducing new types of services to attract tourists.

Foreign airlines interested in opening new routes or planning to increase the number of flights to these airports should send an application (appointment) for specific routes and documents to the Uzaviation Agency and the Air Transport Development Department of the Ministry of Transport. All appeals on this issue will be considered as soon as possible.