The air communication conflict between Uzbekistan and Russia is getting worse every day. Official Tashkent did not give permission to Moscow to increase the number of Russian companies traveling to Uzbekistan.

Official Tashkent made such decision because Russia banned air companies of Uzbekistan to travel to Sochi and Vladivostok. Moreover, before this, only one Uzbekistan's air company has traveled to Russia.

According to the Russian airlines, Russia did not forbid to Uzbekistan's airlines to travel Russia. Conversely, they gave them opportunity to choose route. However, the Uzbek side proposed to determine the number of flights first.
As stated by the press service of Uzbekistan's Tourism Development Committee, the Russian side made ultimatum to Uzbek companies after Uzbekistan refuses to accept flights from Moscow's Zhukovski airport. Russian airlines banned Uzbek companies from flying to Sochi and Vladivostok.

It is worth noting that Kazakhstan and Tajikistan also refused flights from Zhukovski airport. Experts believe that in 2017, passenger traffic rose by 30 percent and reached 3 million due to the development of tourism in Uzbekistan. In January-February of the current year this figure increased by 65% and in 2018 the passenger traffic is expected to reach 4 million people. In this regard, Russian companies have become interested in the Uzbek market.

Translated by Nazerke Syundyukova

“The Qazaq Times”