DUSHANBE, February 14, 2013, Asia-Plus  -- New private air carrier will enter Tajikistan’s aviation market soon.

According to information from the Main Civil Aviation Department at the Ministry of Transport, the air carrier, Asian Express Airline, will enter Tajikistan’s aviation market in spring, bringing the total number of the private air carriers in the country to three.

The air company managers reportedly include citizens of Tajikistan and there are foreign citizens among the founders of the company.

According to information posted in Facebook, Limited Liability Company, Asian Express Airline, was established Tajikistan in 2007 and officially registered in ICAO book in Canada with TXP code.  To-date, the company has reportedly purchased aircrafts of AVRO BAe RJ85 and RJ 100 for domestic flights and neighboring countries.  The company has also purchased Airbus A320s to operate flights to the Russian Federation, European countries and UAE.

Currently, two private air carriers operate in Tajikistan – Somon Air and East Air

Somon Air is the first private airline in Tajikistan with an office headquartered in Dushanbe. The airline operations are based at Dushanbe International Airport.  The airline started operating on February 5, 2008 with regular flights to Moscow and Dubai.  Somon Air also serves as the official carrier of President of the Republic of Tajikistan and other Tajikistan high-ranking officials.  Since formation, Somon Air has been primarily focused on passenger service and transportation to Eastern Europe and other locations. Most flights to international destinations operate from Dushanbe.

East Air is a charter airline based in Dushanbe.  The airline provides charter services for airlines.