A new Hyderabad-Tashkent flight will be among the first tangible outcomes of a renewed push to deepen India-Uzbekistan ties, with Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to India Sardor Mirzayusupovich Rustambaev describing the route as an ‘air bridge’ between Uzbekistan and south India.

Uzbekistan-based private airline Centrum Air will launch direct flights between Hyderabad and Tashkent from September 28. The service will operate twice a week, with flights from Hyderabad on Mondays and Thursdays and return flights from Tashkent on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Speaking at the launch event, Mr. Rustambaev said the new route represents more than the launch of another commercial air service and would help strengthen ties between the two countries across tourism, business, healthcare, education and technology.

The Ambassador’s remarks came in the backdrop of the recent strengthening of India-Uzbekistan relations during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit. “Greater connectivity and uninterrupted air services would be an important foundation for achieving these goals, particularly as the two countries look to deepen cooperation in high technology, pharmaceuticals, digitalisation, renewable energy and critical minerals,” he added.

Gateway to Central Asia

Centrum Air is looking at Hyderabad not simply as an origin-destination market but as a potential gateway for travellers from across southern and western India. Adil Mirza, head of the Agents Division at Centrum Air, said the airline is encouraging travel agencies in Hyderabad as well as those in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Kerala to use the city to send passengers to Uzbekistan and onward destinations.

He said Tashkent could also serve as a transit hub rather than merely a point-to-point destination, with Centrum Air’s network providing onward connections to several destinations across Central Asia, Russia, the Middle East and Europe. The airline highlighted connections to destinations including Almaty, Bishkek, Baku, Tbilisi and Frankfurt, among others.

Pharma and healthcare

Hyderabad’s pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors are expected to be among the major beneficiaries of the new connection. Mr. Rustambaev highlighted Hyderabad’s position as a major pharmaceutical, medical and technology hub and said the city held significant strategic interest for Uzbekistan. The direct flight is expected to make travel more convenient for Uzbek citizens seeking advanced medical treatment in Hyderabad.

The airline is also looking to tap Hyderabad’s pharmaceutical ecosystem for business and cargo opportunities. Mr.Mirza said Indian medical products account for around 50% of Uzbekistan’s pharmaceutical market, with around 30-40% of the Indian supply coming from Hyderabad.

IT and education links

The Uzbek side is also looking at Hyderabad’s technology ecosystem. Mr. Rustambaev said Uzbekistan was undergoing digital transformation and was interested in attracting Indian IT companies, start-ups and academic institutions. Education is another area expected to generate passenger traffic.

The Ambassador said there was growing interest among Indian students for pursuing higher education in Uzbekistan, particularly in medicine and engineering.