Air communication between Dushanbe and Tashkent is expected to be resumed at the beginning of next year.  Flights between Dushanbe and Tashkent can be launched even before the signing of an agreement on air communication.

A protocol on air communication cooperation between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan was signed in Dushanbe on November 30.

Under this protocol, flights between Dushanbe and Tashkent will be launched at the beginning of 2017.

According to Tajikistan’s Ministry of Transport (MoT), the civil aviation authorities of the two countries are ordered to work out a government-to-government agreement on air communication.

The protocol also create conditions for operating transit flights and air cargo carriages, an official source at a MoT told Asia-Plus in an interview.

The first flight on the air route from Dushanbe to Tashkent is expected to be operated in the first quarter of 2017, probably even in January, the source said.

Tajik private air carrier, Somon Air, and Uzbek national air carrier, O‛zbekiston Havo Yo‛llari  (Uzbekistan Airways), will operate flights on this air route twice a week.

Recall, Tajik Minister of Transport Sherali Ganjalzoda told lawmakers on November 2 that a draft government-to-government agreement between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on the direct air communication between the two countries is currently at the stage of coordination.

The air communication between Dushanbe and Tashkent was cut off in 1992 and the issue of resumption of the direct air communication between the two countries has been raised at meetings between state officials of the two countries more than once.

The Tajik authorities have repeatedly noted that resumption of regular air communication between Dushanbe and Tashkent and bus service between cities of the two countries would promote expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Tajik-Uzbek relations that have probably been the worst bilateral ties across Central Asia have begun to thaw after a long chill.  Uzbek enterprises are reportedly seeking partners for cooperation in Tajikistan and a two-way trade between the two countries is increasing.

In an apparent start at trying to mend fences, Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Komilov on September 29 visited Tajikistan, where he met with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.

Komilov did mention he hoped the two countries could find a fair and mutually advantageous solution to water and energy problems.  He also gave an interview to Tajik television, saying it was time to renew “long-interrupted” ties.