China Eastern Airlines is further expanding its nonstop services throughout Central Asia. On July 16, the carrier launched a new route between Xi’an and Tashkent, as reported by Uzbekistan Airports.
This marks China Eastern’s debut in the Uzbek market. Tashkent–Xi’an flights are operated three times a week — on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays — using Airbus A320 aircraft. Flight time is four hours and 55 minutes, and tickets start at $212.80.
In late May, Kazakhstani airline SCAT launched flights to Xi’an from Shymkent. The service operates twice a week, with fares starting at $176.
Earlier this month, China Eastern Airlines launched a nonstop service between Almaty and Shanghai, operated three times a week, with a flight time of six hours and 15 minutes. Tickets start at around $212.
China also sought to utilize railways to enhance its connectivity with Central Asia. In late May, tourists from China — along with prominent public figures — traveled from Xi’an to Almaty on a tourist train. However, there have been no media reports confirming that this route has become regular.
