Abdulaziz Abdurakhmanov, Founder and CEO, Centrum Air

What are the key factors that have contributed to Centrum Air’s rapid growth and success in the aviation market?

Centrum Air emerged during a period of major transformation in Uzbekistan’s aviation sector. Beginning in 2018, the government took decisive steps to liberalize the market — introducing liberalized market access policies, encouraging private airline development and simplifying access to routes and airport infrastructure. These reforms laid the groundwork for a more competitive and dynamic industry, offering new players institutional support and access to underserved regional markets.

Centrum Air was one of the first private airlines to seize these opportunities successfully. From the outset, the company focused on agile network development, fast fleet expansion and a clear understanding of passenger expectations. However, even in a favorable environment, our success would not have been possible without a strong leadership team, cross-departmental coordination and a clearly defined operational strategy.

Ultimately, Centrum Air’s rapid rise is not just a result of being in the right place at the right time — it is the product of a unified team building a modern airline rooted in reliability, responsiveness and a customer-first mindset.

What are the airline’s main areas of operation today, and what core services do you offer to passengers and partners?

Centrum Air’s main areas of operation today include short- and medium-haul scheduled flights across Central Asia, the Middle East, the Caucasus and key cities in Russia, along with the recent launch of long-haul routes to Southeast and East Asia. From Tashkent and regional cities like Samarkand, Namangan, Urgench and Nukus, the airline connects Uzbekistan with destinations such as Dubai, Istanbul, Tel Aviv, Bangkok, Guangzhou, Seoul, Jeddah and several CIS capitals and regional airports.

In addition to scheduled passenger services, Centrum Air actively operates seasonal and charter flights to popular leisure destinations including Vietnam, Thailand, Turkey, Maldives, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Georgia and other countries. These routes are tailored to both tour operators and direct customers, with flexible capacity and frequency options.

Centrum Air offers its passengers affordable fares, a growing fleet of modern Airbus A320-family and A330 aircraft, and a customer-focused onboard experience. For partners and travel agents, the airline ensures efficient cooperation, transparent communication and a commitment to growing transit traffic via its strategic hub in Tashkent. As the fleet and network continue to grow, Centrum Air is focused on expanding both passenger reach and commercial partnerships across the region and beyond.

How do you view the competitive environment in Uzbekistan’s and the region’s aviation industry? What are Centrum Air’s unique strengths?

Since the presidential decree on aviation development was issued in 2018, Uzbekistan’s air transport sector has undergone a dynamic transformation. The opening of the market and support for private carriers have led to the emergence of multiple active airlines, each pursuing distinct strategies. As passenger demand continues to grow, so does competition — fostering a healthy and fast-developing aviation ecosystem in the country.

Centrum Air stands out by clearly defining its own growth model. The rapid expansion of our fleet and route network — including direct international flights not only from Tashkent but also from regional cities — confirms that our strategy is resonating with market needs. While Tashkent remains a central hub, our focus is on improving air connectivity across the country and the broader region, offering passengers the ability to travel directly from their home regions to neighboring countries without transfers.

This decentralization approach also strengthens domestic aviation, enhances accessibility for provincial populations and supports the growth of inbound tourism by linking foreign travelers directly to Uzbekistan’s key cultural destinations.

In which directions is the airline expanding? Are there plans for new routes, service types or international market entry?

Centrum Air is actively implementing a development strategy aimed at positioning Uzbekistan as a regional transit and tourism hub. Thanks to the country’s advantageous geographic location, we strive to provide convenient and accessible air connectivity between Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

By autumn 2025, the airline plans to launch its first flights to Europe — starting in Manchester and Copenhagen, as well as to three cities in India. In light of the recently introduced visa-free regime between Uzbekistan and China, Centrum Air has already increased the frequency of flights to Guangzhou up to 5 times a week and launched new routes to other Chinese cities, such as Sanya and Haikou.

As part of its fleet renewal and expansion plan, the airline expects to add the following aircraft by the end of 2025:

• Airbus A321-200 — 1 unit
• Airbus A321neo — 1 unit
• Airbus A330-300 (wide-body) — 2 units

With these additions, the total number of aircraft in the fleet will reach 14 units by December 2025, with plans to expand to 23 aircraft by the end of 2026 and 38 in 2027. The average fleet age will be 8 years.

Centrum Air prioritizes passenger safety and comfort at every stage of the journey. In 2025, the airline plans to introduce a cloud-based in-flight entertainment system, accessible via QR code from mobile devices. One of the core features of this platform will be Centrum Select — an easy-to-use onboard shopping service. Passengers will be able to order drinks, snacks, bars and other items from their seats.

The airline also plans to launch additional comfort options, including individual sleep and travel kits featuring soft pillows, blankets and practical accessories for long-haul flights. These items will be available upon request, depending on the flight duration and service class.

Centrum Air continues to move forward, expanding its global reach and enhancing the quality of service — so that every passenger feels confident and comfortable, no matter the destination.

What strategies does Centrum Air use to attract and retain customers? How do you build and maintain relationships with business partners and agencies?

Centrum Air adopts a multifaceted strategy to attract and retain customers, with a strong focus on accessibility, affordability and regional relevance. The airline offers a wide network of direct flights from both the capital and underserved regional cities in Uzbekistan, providing passengers with convenient options to travel across Central Asia, the Middle East and parts of Asia and Europe without long transfers or costly layovers. This commitment to regional connectivity is a key pillar of its customer-centric approach.

To enhance loyalty, Centrum Air ensures competitive pricing while steadily improving onboard comfort — including the introduction of Airbus A321neo and A330 aircraft with enhanced legroom, quieter cabins, and soon, an in-flight entertainment system. The airline also emphasizes transparent communication through digital channels, including a dedicated news channel that keeps travelers updated on schedule changes and company news in real time.

In working with business partners and agencies, Centrum Air fosters strong relationships through personalized support, flexible commercial terms and collaborative planning. A dedicated B2B team engages with travel agencies and tour operators to ensure smooth booking processes, co-marketing initiatives and access to seasonal charter capacities. By positioning itself as a responsive and approachable partner, Centrum Air continues to expand its partner network both locally and internationally.