Etihad Airways and Uzbekistan Airways have entered into a comprehensive codeshare partnership aimed at expanding connectivity between the United Arab Emirates and Central Asia, providing travellers with seamless access to multiple destinations across Uzbekistan through a single-ticket booking experience.
The new codeshare arrangement is scheduled to commence on August 9, 2026, with bookings already available through the airlines’ respective websites and distribution channels.
The partnership marks a significant step in strengthening air connectivity between the Gulf region and Central Asia at a time when demand for multi-destination international travel, cultural tourism, and regional business mobility continues to grow.
Etihad Launches New Daily Abu Dhabi–Tashkent Service
The commercial agreement coincides with the launch of Etihad Airways’ new daily non-stop service between Abu Dhabi and Tashkent, which will also begin operations on August 9, 2026.
Under the codeshare agreement, Etihad passengers will be able to travel on a single ticket from Abu Dhabi to eight domestic destinations across Uzbekistan via Tashkent.
These destinations include:
- Samarkand
- Urgench
- Nukus
- Termez
- Fergana
- Namangan
- Andizhan
- Bukhara
The agreement will also provide Etihad customers with access to select international destinations served by Uzbekistan Airways beyond Tashkent.
For travellers flying with Uzbekistan Airways, the partnership opens direct access to Abu Dhabi in addition to the carrier’s existing daily operations to Dubai, further strengthening connectivity between Uzbekistan and the UAE.
Strengthening Silk Road Tourism and Regional Travel
Industry analysts note that the partnership reflects growing global interest in Central Asia as a tourism destination, particularly as countries such as Uzbekistan continue investing in tourism infrastructure, aviation liberalisation, and cultural heritage tourism.
Cities including Samarkand and Bukhara — both historically significant Silk Road destinations — have witnessed increasing international visitor interest in recent years due to their UNESCO-recognised heritage sites, Islamic architecture, and cultural tourism experiences.
The enhanced connectivity is expected to support both leisure and business travel while facilitating easier access for international tourists seeking multi-city itineraries across Central Asia.
The UAE, meanwhile, continues strengthening its role as a global aviation hub linking Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East through expanding airline partnerships and route networks.
Frequent Flyer Collaboration Planned
Alongside the codeshare agreement, both airlines confirmed that they are actively developing a reciprocal frequent flyer partnership connecting Etihad’s Etihad Guest loyalty programme with Uzbekistan Airways’ UzAirPlus programme.
The future collaboration is expected to allow passengers to earn and redeem loyalty points across both carriers, enhancing customer engagement and travel flexibility.
Flight Schedule and Network Expansion
According to the airlines, the new Abu Dhabi–Tashkent service will operate daily using an Airbus A320 aircraft.
Flight EY830 is scheduled to depart Abu Dhabi at 21:10 local time and arrive in Tashkent at 01:35 the following morning.
The return service, flight EY831, will depart Tashkent daily at 03:50 and arrive at Abu Dhabi International Airport at 06:35 local time.
The partnership further expands Etihad Airways’ international connectivity network, which the airline states is currently the largest among non-alliance carriers globally. Through its network of 46 codeshare partnerships and more than 130 interline agreements, Etihad now offers passengers access to over 350 destinations worldwide via integrated ticketing arrangements.
Growing Aviation Partnerships Across Emerging Markets
The agreement highlights a broader trend within the global aviation industry where airlines are increasingly using strategic partnerships and codeshare arrangements to strengthen connectivity without directly launching additional long-haul routes.
Industry experts believe Central Asia represents a significant emerging growth market for aviation and tourism, driven by improving infrastructure, easing visa policies, expanding business ties, and rising international interest in cultural and experiential travel.
As airlines continue focusing on network optimisation and connectivity expansion, partnerships such as the Etihad–Uzbekistan Airways collaboration are expected to play an increasingly important role in facilitating regional tourism growth and enhancing international travel accessibility.
