Uzbekistan Air Cargo Notes | 13 August 2026
- 12 hours ago
- 2 min read
Welcome to this week's edition of Uzbekistan Air Cargo Notes, the first and only newsletter focusing on the latest news and insights into the dynamic air cargo market of Uzbekistan and Central Asia. This week, we are reporting on Etihad and Oman Air expanding cargo connectivity through Tashkent, Air Belgium’s new cargo link via Ashgabat and more.
Air Cargo Trends
Etihad launches Tashkent service with new cargo connectivity
Etihad launched the Abu Dhabi–Tashkent route on 9 August 2026, with the inaugural flight arriving in Tashkent on 10 August. The airline plans daily flights operated by Airbus A320 aircraft.
The passenger service provides belly-hold cargo capacity for textiles, fresh and dried produce, electronics, pharmaceuticals and healthcare products, with onward connections through Etihad Cargo’s Abu Dhabi hub
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Air Belgium operates inaugural cargo flight to Ashgabat
Air Belgium operated its first cargo flight to Ashgabat International Airport, Turkmenistan, on 1 August 2026, following an earlier agreement to establish cargo operations through the airport.
The operation forms part of Air Belgium’s planned cargo activity through Ashgabat, supporting freight flows between Asia and Belgium.
Oman Air adds twice-weekly Muscat–Tashkent cargo capacity
Oman Air introduced twice-weekly services between Muscat, Oman, and Tashkent, Uzbekistan, using Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
Oman Air Cargo expects the route to support perishables and other time-critical commodities while expanding routing options for high-value and time-sensitive shipments across Asia.
Cathay Cargo begins scheduled Astana freighter operations
Cathay Pacific Cargo’s first scheduled freighter arrived at Astana International Airport on 1 August, with the carrier initially planning five flights per week and using Astana on cargo movements between Southeast Asia and Europe.
The current Astana calls are technical stops that airport management expects could develop into regular commercial cargo operations; the aircraft used can carry approximately 80–100 tons of freight.
Other News
Second Slavic Caravan freight train arrives in Uzbekistan
The second Slavic Caravan freight train arrived in Uzbekistan from Belarus with 44 wagons, completing the journey from Orsha-Vostochnaya to Chukursay in seven days.
Belarus has confirmed plans for weekly departures, with the service carrying timber, sugar, board materials and consumer goods and intended to develop into a permanent rail connection.
More:
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