Samarkand International Airport announces expansion of route network

Samarkand International Airport announced a further expansion of its direct route network with services to Baku and Krasnoyarsk on Thursday, 27th February.

Azerbaijan Airlines will operate two flights a week from Samarkand to the Azerbaijan capital of Baku beginning 1st April. 

Flights will be operated twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays with departures from Samarkand leaving at 2:55am, with a travel time of around 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Likewise, Ural Airlines will be introducing direct flights between Samarkand and Krasnoyarsk, the largest economic, educational, and cultural center of the East Siberian Federal District. 

Return services on the four-hour flight will initially be operated once weekly on Tuesdays, also from 1st April.

Departures from Krasnoyarsk at 11:40 will arrive in Samarkand at 13:40 local time, while the return service will depart Samarkand at 15:00 and arrive in Krasnoyarsk at 20:35 local time.

Two important services

Ulugbek Shamsikulov, CEO of Samarkand International Airport’s management company Air Marakanda, said: “After record breaking growth and passenger figures in 2024, we will begin the summer season with important new services to Baku and Krasnoyarsk. These flight connections will strengthen the cultural, tourist and business ties between Uzbekistan and these two important countries, while providing passengers with convenient and affordable air transport links.”

Baku is a modern metropolis on the Caspian Sea coast, offering tourists attractions including walks along the Seaside Boulevard, visits to the Old City and the Bibi-Heybat Mosque complex. 

With 75 destinations served from Baku International Airport, it also provides onward flight opportunities for travelers departing from Samarkand.

Krasnoyarsk, on the other hand, is the largest city in Eastern Siberia, known for its unique natural landscapes, panoramic views and numerous attractions, which makes it an attractive tourist destination.

Samarkand International Airport was named the fastest growing airport in Europe and Central Asia in official figures released by the Airports Council International (ACI). 

With 1.38 million passengers passing through the ultra-modern terminal equating to growth of 36.6 percent compared with 2023, Samarkand grew twice as quickly as the next fastest growing airport in the region.