Uzbekistan Airways has begun selling flights between Tashkent and Abu Dhabi under a codeshare with Etihad Airways, with travel available already!
The Tashkent–Abu Dhabi service is operated daily by Etihad, which launched the nonstop route on the same date. Uzbekistan Airways places its HY code on the flights, letting its passengers book the Gulf sector on a single ticket and earn UzAirPlus loyalty points. In the other direction, Etihad markets Uzbekistan Airways flights on its EY code, giving Etihad guests single-ticket access from Tashkent to eight domestic Uzbek destinations: Samarkand, Bukhara, Urgench, Nukus, Termez, Fergana, Namangan and Andizhan, plus select international routes on the Uzbekistan Airways network.
The wider codeshare agreement took effect on May 15, positioning Abu Dhabi as a hub for onward Central Asian connections. Etihad operates the route with an Airbus A320. The two carriers are also developing a frequent-flyer tie-up between Etihad Guest and UzAirPlus, though full earn-and-redeem terms have not yet been published.
Tickets are on sale at uzairways.com, through the Uzbekistan Airways mobile app, and via the airline’s sales offices and agents.
Why it matters for the trade
For agents and DMOs the practical change is single-ticket ticketing and through-checked baggage between the UAE and Uzbekistan, removing the self-transfer risk that has dogged thinner Central Asian routings and could boost tickets.
The eight-city domestic reach via Tashkent is the real inventory expansion. It turns Abu Dhabi into a viable alternative to Dubai self-connect for clients heading to Samarkand or Bukhara, and it opens Silk Road cultural-tourism itineraries to Etihad’s global network without either carrier adding metal. Loyalty reciprocity is worth flagging to frequent-flyer clients, but hold off promising status benefits until the joint programme terms are confirmed.