On March 16, Kyrgyzstan’s air carrier, Asman Airlines, has successfully completed its first flight on the Bishkek – Khujand – Bishkek air route. The flight was reportedly conducted on March 16 as part of preparations for the launch of regular air services.
Kyrgyzstan’s Kaktus.media reports that the aircraft departed from Manas International Airport in Bishkek at 14:20 local time. Covering a distance of 740 km in one hour, the plane landed at Khujand International Airport in the Sughd province of Tajikistan.
This was a technical test flight for the new route, following which fuel consumption and operational efficiency will be analyzed.
Regular flights on the Bishkek – Khujand air route will officially begin on April 8, 2025, with one flight per week scheduled for Tuesdays.
Warm welcome in Khujand
The Kyrgyz delegation reportedly received a warm welcome upon arrival in Khujand, with traditional music, bread and salt, and greetings from officials. Representatives of Tajikistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, journalists, and airport officials welcomed the guests. The aircraft was honored with a water cannon salute upon landing.
Following the official reception, a guided tour of Khujand’s landmarks was organized for journalists, bloggers, and representatives of Manas Airport. The tour included visits to Tajik Sea (a reservoir powering the Qayroqqum hydropower plant), Arbob Cultural Palace and Khujand Fortress.
Asman Airlines is a Kyrgyzstani airline operating domestic flights from its base at Manas International Airport. The airline's corporate headquarters are on the grounds of Manas International Airport in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Asman Airlines was established as a subsidiary of the state-owned Manas International Airport.
The airline reportedly specializes in regional flights within Kyrgyzstan, aiming to connect various cities across the country. However, Asman Airlines has a goal to make non-stop flights from Bishkek to European destinations like Berlin, London, and Paris possible.
Resumption of air links between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan
Previously, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan had resumed air travel between their capitals, Bishkek and Dushanbe.
On March 14, Tajikistan’s privately owned air company, Somon Air, operated its first charter flight in nearly four years on the Dushanbe – Bishkek – Dushanbe air route.
Regular flights on this route began on March 23 and will operate once a week, on Sundays: departure from Dushanbe: 10:30 local time and departure from Bishkek: 14:20 local time; flight duration — 1 hour 30 minutes from Dushanbe and 1 hour 20 minutes on the return trip.
In the near future, Somon Air plans to increase flight frequency to Bishkek to twice a week—on Wednesdays and Sundays. Flights will be operated using Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737-900 aircraft.
Suspension of air travel in 2021
Direct flights between Dushanbe and Bishkek were suspended in May 2021 after Kyrgyzstan imposed entry restrictions on Tajik citizens.
On May 25, 2021, around 200 passengers on a Somon Air charter flight were denied entry into Kyrgyzstan and had to return to Dushanbe.
In June 2021, Kyrgyz authorities officially closed its common border with Tajikistan, including air travel.
Border agreement paves the way for flight resumption
After the delimitation of the state border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan was finalized in March 2025, Tajik Prime Minister Qohir Rasoulzoda and Kyrgyz Cabinet Chairman Odlbek Kasymaliyev met in Dushanbe to discuss the resumption of direct flights.
During his state visit to Kyrgyzstan, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on March 14 officially announced the relaunch of flights between the two countries.
