Uzbekistan’s private airline Fly Khiva is set to begin passenger flights in December, operating both domestic and international routes. The airline will utilize two Boeing 757-300 aircraft leased from Icelandair to provide a new option for travelers across Uzbekistan and beyond.
Fly Khiva, which received its air operator’s certificate in February, initially focused on cargo services and began operating an all-cargo Boeing 767-300F in June. However, the opportunity to expand into passenger services came through Icelandair's influence and the lease of two Boeing 757-300s, as explained by Fly Khiva's Director, Dilshod Khodjaev, at a recent presentation in Tashkent.
The Fly Khiva Group has considerable experience in the travel sector. Initially established as an air ticket sales office, it has served as the general agent for Azerbaijan's national carrier, AZAL, in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. The group also operates a travel agency that specializes in pilgrimage flights to Mecca, giving it a strong foundation in passenger services.
Fly Khiva’s initial domestic routes will connect Tashkent with Urgench, Nukus, Termez, Fergana, and Namangan. Internationally, the airline plans to launch flights to Saudi Arabia, with charter routes under consideration to destinations in the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Israel, Greece, India, Thailand, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, and Latvia. The Boeing 757-300, with its range of 5,100 kilometers, is well-suited to these medium-haul routes.
With seating for 225 passengers, including 22 in business class and 203 in economy, Fly Khiva aims to bring a “breath of fresh air” to Uzbekistan’s aviation market, offering spacious seating and an in-flight entertainment system. Economy class passengers will enjoy an 81 cm seat pitch, while business class seats will range from 101 to 106 cm.
The addition of Fly Khiva marks the sixth airline in Uzbekistan’s growing aviation sector, which includes the state-run Uzbekistan Airways, its regional subsidiary Silk Avia, and private carriers Qanot Sharq, Centrum Air, and Air Samarkand.
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