Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A solemn meeting of passengers of the first flight of Air Astana on the Almaty-Samarkand route was held at the Samarkand international airport on 9 June.

Airbus 321 of the Kazakh air carrier landed at Samarkand International Airport at 16:15 Tashkent time.

The meeting ceremony was attended by representatives of the administration of the Samarkand region, the regional department of tourism and sports, the General Consulate of Kazakhstan in Samarkand, Air Astana and the media.

The deputy khokim of the region, the head of the regional department of tourism and sports Botir Nurullaev and the consul of Kazakhstan in Samarkand Arsen Abdrakhmanov solemnly cut the red ribbon, thereby giving a start to a new direction.

It was noted that the new route will further strengthen the friendly relations between the two countries and fraternal peoples and will serve the development of the tourism industry of both states.

After that, the organizers of the event presented souvenirs to the aircraft crew.

On 8 June 2021, Uzbekistan Airways operated its first flight on the Samarkand - Almaty - Samarkand route.

Uzbekistan Airways operates flights to Kazakhstan every Tuesday and Saturday. Air Astana plans to operate flights every Wednesday and Sunday.