Etihad launches daily Abu Dhabi to Tashkent flights as Uzbekistan demand grows

Etihad Airways has launched daily direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Tashkent, its first-ever route to Uzbekistan, with inaugural service EY830 reported as sold out. Flight EY830 departs Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport at 8.35pm and lands in Tashkent at 2.05am local time the following day; the return service, EY831, leaves Tashkent at 3.25am and arrives in Abu Dhabi at 6.55am. Both services operate daily using an Airbus A320 with an approximate journey time of four and a half hours.

“Today’s inaugural flight to Tashkent is a proud moment for Etihad and an important milestone in our continued network expansion,” said Frank Meyer, chief digital officer at Etihad Airways. “Uzbekistan is one of Central Asia’s most dynamic and fast-growing markets, with a rich cultural heritage, strong tourism appeal and growing economic significance.”

The introduction of the Abu Dhabi–Tashkent service expands Etihad’s footprint in Central Asia and is designed to capitalise on rising travel demand between the UAE, Uzbekistan and wider international markets. Etihad said Abu Dhabi will provide onward connectivity across Europe, North America, the GCC and the Levant for travellers routing through Tashkent.

The carrier has also signed a new codeshare agreement with Uzbekistan Airways, allowing Etihad passengers transiting Tashkent to connect to eight additional Uzbek destinations. Those cities are:

• Andijan
• Bukhara
• Fergana
• Namangan
• Nukus
• Samarkand
• Termez
• Urgench

Etihad’s launch comes into a market already served by several UAE carriers. Emirates and flydubai operate direct services between Dubai and Tashkent, Air Arabia flies to the city from both Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, and Uzbekistan Airways maintains daily services from Tashkent to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The new Etihad service therefore adds another daily option for passengers travelling between the UAE and Uzbekistan.

From September 1 the schedule will be adjusted slightly: EY830 will depart Abu Dhabi at 9.20pm and arrive in Tashkent at 1.50am the following day, while the return flight will leave Tashkent at 3.35am and land in Abu Dhabi at 6.25am. Etihad will continue to operate the route using its Airbus A320 aircraft.

Industry observers say the timing reflects growing tourism and business interest in Uzbekistan, whose cities such as Samarkand and Bukhara have significant cultural and historical appeal. For Etihad, the route both strengthens its regional network and enhances its feeder role for long-haul connections through Abu Dhabi. The codeshare with Uzbekistan Airways also aims to capture intranational traffic and offer seamless connections to smaller Uzbek cities that are drawing more international visitors.

Outlook

With the inaugural flight sold out and daily capacity added on an A320, Etihad is positioned to test sustained demand on the Abu Dhabi–Tashkent corridor while leveraging partnerships to expand reach within Uzbekistan. Competition from Emirates, flydubai, Air Arabia and Uzbekistan Airways means the market will be closely watched for fare movements and seasonal frequency adjustments. Etihad’s schedule tweak from September suggests the carrier will remain flexible as it evaluates passenger flows and onward connection patterns through Abu Dhabi.