Uzbekistan Airports, Loong Air Discuss Xi'an–Ferghana Flights

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan Airports and Chinese carrier Loong Air have discussed launching a new international route between Xi'an and Ferghana, as well as expanding cooperation on existing services. The issues were reviewed during a working meeting between Uzbekistan Airports' management and a Loong Air delegation led by Xiao Wei, General Manager of the airline's Marketing Department, Uzbekistan Airports said.

The parties discussed increasing flight frequencies on existing routes, expanding passenger services, including Fast Track and airport lounges, and implementing joint marketing projects with duty-free operators at Uzbekistan's airports.

The main focus of the meeting was the proposed Xi'an-Ferghana route. Participants discussed the commercial potential of the new service, noting that the Ferghana Valley is Uzbekistan's most densely populated region, with strong business activity and significant tourism potential.

According to the Commercial Department of Uzbekistan Airports, the number of enterprises with Chinese investment in the Ferghana Valley has increased in recent years, while the number of Chinese citizens travelling to the region for work and investment projects has also grown. The company said these factors create the conditions for sustainable passenger demand on the proposed route.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed to continue working jointly on the launch of Xi'an-Ferghana flights and to cooperate on increasing frequencies on existing routes to Tashkent and Samarkand.

Loong Air is based in Hangzhou, China, and operates domestic and international passenger services. The airline currently operates nine scheduled flights a week to Uzbekistan on the Xi'an-Tashkent, Chengdu-Tashkent and Xi'an-Samarkand routes.