On the occasion of the Unity Day of the Peoples of Kazakhstan, QAZAQ AIR launched an international flight between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan on the Turkestan route. – Samarkand". The opening ceremony of the flight took place at Samarkand International Airport on May 1, 2025.

The event was attended by the Consul General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Samarkand Talgat Sharipov, the Commercial Director of QAZAQ AIR Suleiman Mirzayev, the Acting Head of the Department of Culture and Tourism of the Samarkand region Zhurabek Suyunov, representatives of the Akimat of Samarkand, the press and the company "Air Marakanda" (the operator of the Samarkand International Airport).

The opening of direct flights between Turkestan and Samarkand creates new prospects for the development of tourism, cultural and business ties.

The initiative has already been highly appreciated by tour operators and the business community. According to experts, direct communication will significantly simplify logistics and reduce travel time, which will enhance bilateral cooperation.

Flights will be operated twice a week, on Thursday and Sunday, with a flight duration of 50 minutes. Flight schedule:

On Thursdays:

  - Turkestan at 19:10 – Samarkand at 20:00

  - Samarkand 21:00 – Turkestan 21:50

On Sundays:

  - Turkestan 10:10 a.m. – Samarkand 11:00 a.m.

  - Samarkand 12:00 – Turkestan 13:00

The cost of one-way tickets starts from 23,000 tenge.

Convenient connecting flights via Turkestan are provided for passengers from Astana, Karaganda and Kostanay, which allows efficient travel planning and minimizes travel time.

For example, the schedule of flights Astana – Samarkand:

Thursday:

  - Astana 16:15 – Samarkand 20:00 (1 hour connection in Turkestan)

  - Samarkand 21:00 – Astana 01:30 (connecting in Turkestan in 50 minutes)

Sunday:

  - Astana 07:25 – Samarkand 11:00 (connecting in Turkestan in 50 minutes)

  - Samarkand 12:00 p.m. – Astana 15:30 p.m. (40 minutes connection in Turkestan)

The cost of one–way tickets starts from 41,000 tenge.

Kazakh air carrier QAZAQ AIR operates flights on modern Canadian-made De Havilland Dash 8-Q400 aircraft, providing a high level of safety and comfort for passengers.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-samarkand/press/news/details/988399?lang=kk