Korean Air has begun flights to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the heart of Central Asia, from 2 September with three weekly passenger flights between Seoul (Incheon International Airport) and Tashkent using Boeing 777-200 aircraft, and operate three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Uzbekistan is strategically located in the middle of Central Asia, making it a great gateway for traffic to and through the region. The country is becoming an important business destination for its abundant underground resources, and Uzbekistan is home to various historic tourist sites of the ancient silk road, some of which are registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Korean Air is strengthening its ties with Uzbekistan through various means. The airline is cooperating with the Uzbek government for a project to develop Navoi International Airport into a logistics hub of Central Asia. Navoi is the capital of Navoi Province in the southwestern part of Uzbekistan. From August 27, a Korean Air cargo flight will stop at Navoi Airport on its way from Incheon to Milano. Korean Air also plans to enhance partnership relations with Uzbekistan Airways (HY), such as ground handling and code-share arrangements.