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Hyderabad Gains Direct Access to Central Asia
[Hyderabad, September 8, 2026] — Travelers in South India now have a direct gateway to Central Asia following the official launch of Centrum Air’s flight services connecting Hyderabad and Tashkent. The announcement was formalized during a high-level networking event at The Leela, Hyderabad, which gathered diplomatic officials, aviation executives, and tourism stakeholders to mark the beginning of this strategic air link.
The introduction of this route removes previous transit hurdles for passengers from Telangana and neighboring southern states, providing a streamlined path to Uzbekistan’s capital. Beyond leisure travel, the service is designed to act as a catalyst for increased bilateral trade and corporate exchange between the two nations.
The launch ceremony featured the traditional lighting of the diya, led by H.E. Dr. Sardor Mirzayusupovich Rustambaev, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan, alongside senior leadership from Centrum Air. The event served as a forum to discuss how enhanced aviation connectivity serves as the primary engine for diplomatic and economic strengthening between India and Uzbekistan.
Strategic Market Expansion for Centrum Air
The decision to enter the Hyderabad market is part of a broader aggressive growth strategy by the Uzbek carrier. Adil Mirza, Head of the Agents Division at Centrum Air, characterized the Hyderabad–Tashkent route as a pivotal milestone in the airline's international scaling efforts. He identified Hyderabad as a high-potential hub due to its unique blend of business activity and leisure demand.
According to airline officials, the route is not merely a point-to-point service but a gateway that allows Indian travelers easier access to various destinations within Uzbekistan and further international markets. The airline is currently focusing on building deep integration with the Indian travel trade to ensure sustainable load factors on the new route.
Aeroprime Group Drives Indian Market Growth
The operational rollout in India is being managed by the Aeroprime Group, which serves as the Exclusive General Sales Agent (GSA) for Centrum Air. Aeroprime is responsible for the airline's market penetration, utilizing local trade relationships and targeted marketing to drive ticket sales.
Abhishek Goyal, CEO and Executive Director of Aeroprime Group, noted that the addition of Hyderabad significantly alters the airline's operational scale in the region. In less than one year since entering the Indian market, Centrum Air has rapidly scaled its operations to a total of seven weekly flights.
| Departure City | Destination | Weekly Flight Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi | Tashkent | 5 Flights |
| Hyderabad | Tashkent | 2 Flights |
| Total India Operations | Tashkent | 7 Flights |
This rapid expansion indicates a high level of confidence in the demand for Central Asian connectivity. The shift from a single-city operation in Delhi to a multi-city strategy including Hyderabad demonstrates the airline's intent to capture a larger share of the outbound Indian travel market.
Diplomatic and Tourism Implications
The Ambassador of Uzbekistan emphasized that direct aviation links are fundamental to the growth of tourism and the facilitation of business exchanges. By reducing travel time and complexity, the Hyderabad route is expected to increase the volume of Indian tourists visiting Uzbekistan's historic sites and commercial centers.
During the launch event, the Uzbekistan Tourism Committee provided detailed briefings on the country's current tourism infrastructure and future opportunities for Indian visitors. This collaboration aims to package Uzbekistan as a primary destination for South Indian travelers, leveraging the new direct flight convenience.
To incentivize the first wave of travelers, Centrum Air conducted a lucky draw during the event, awarding return tickets on the Hyderabad–Tashkent route to select industry partners and guests.
Why This Matters: Impact on the Traveler and Trade
For the average traveler, the launch of this route represents a shift from indirect, often grueling itineraries to a streamlined direct experience. Previously, travelers from South India often had to transit through Delhi or other international hubs, adding significant time and cost to their journeys. Direct connectivity typically leads to more competitive pricing and reduced travel fatigue.
From a logistical and commercial standpoint, this creates a "trade corridor" effect. Hyderabad is a global hub for pharmaceuticals, IT, and biotechnology. By establishing a direct link to Tashkent, Centrum Air is effectively lowering the barrier for business professionals to conduct face-to-face negotiations and site visits in Uzbekistan.
Furthermore, the rapid scaling of Centrum Air—reaching seven weekly flights in under a year—signals to other international carriers that the India-Central Asia corridor is underserved. This is likely to trigger more competitive offerings and potentially more routes from other Uzbek or Central Asian carriers into Indian cities. For the business community, this means more flexible scheduling and improved supply chain logistics for goods moving between the two regions.
