Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan plan to resume direct flights

Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport has announced plans to resume direct bilateral air services with Turkmenistan.

The announcement followed talks in Tashkent on August 13 between a delegation from Uzbekistan’s transport and logistics sector, led by Bekzod Kholmatov, director of the Centre for the Study of Transport and Logistics Development, and Turkmenistan’s Ambassador Shadurdy Meredov.

Representatives of Uzbekistan’s Foreign Ministry, the Association of International Road Carriers and heads of transport and forwarding companies also attended the meeting.

The discussions focused on a range of measures aimed at facilitating transport between the two countries, including simplifying road freight procedures, introducing electronic visa processing for drivers, streamlining payments and improving procedures at the Farap–Alat border crossing.

The sides also discussed ways to reduce queues at the border, establish a dedicated corridor for perishable goods and construct an additional bridge in the neutral zone. Other issues included increasing the volume of cargo transported through the Turkmenbashi port and reviewing weight and dimensional restrictions for vehicles.

Particular attention was given to the resumption of direct air links between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The Turkmen side expressed readiness to consider the proposals and submit them to the relevant state authorities.

Following the meeting, the sides agreed to continue cooperation aimed at developing transport and logistics links between the two countries.

By Tamilla Hasanova