Tajikistan’s privately-owned air carrier Somon Air now operates some flights that had previously been operated by Tajik Air (Tajik national air carrier).
Thus, Somon Air now operates Tajik Air’s flights to Moscow since the national air carrier has suspended flights to the Russian cities.
Tajik Air suspended flights to Russia from January 2 and Somon Air will also operate Tajik Air’s flights from Dushanbe to St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Surgut ad Samara; from Khujand to Moscow, St. Petersburg, Surgut, Novosibirsk and Yekaterinburg; from Kulob to Moscow; ad from Bokhtar (formerly Qurghon Teppa) to Moscow, Novosibirsk and Yekaterinburg.
Recall, Tajik national air carrier noted on January 3 that it has been forced to make changes to its winter flight schedule and suspend flights to the Russian Federation until the end of the winter period. Tajik Air’s press center said on January 3 that the company was forced to make changes to its winter flight schedule for commercial reasons (unprofitability of some flights).
The company started operations on September 3, 1924 as Tajik Aviation. Its first route was Bukhara to Dushanbe, served by Junkers F-13 aircraft. It is the sixth oldest airline still in operation.
Tajik Air now serves the following destinations: China (Urumqi); India (New Delhi); Iran (Tehran, Mashhad); Kazakhstan (Almaty); Kyrgyzstan (Bishkek); Russia (Moscow, Novosibirsk, St Petersburg, and Surgut); Tajikistan (Khorog and Khujand); and Uzbekistan (Samarqand).
The Tajik Air management is currently considering potential upgrade of its air fleet with aircraft of modern Western technology.
Until 2008, Tajik Air had an absolute monopoly in Tajikistan’s air transport, owning all planes, airports, and airport and flight services. As a result of restructuring, Tajik Air was split up into several separate companies.
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.
The airline uses the Boeing 737 in its fleet. Somon Air now operates 2 Boeing 737-300s, 2 Boeing 737-800s and 2 Boeing 737-900ERs.
