Centrum Air, Uzbekistan’s biggest private airline, successfully commenced its direct passenger flights between Delhi (DEL) and Tashkent (TAS) on 3rd October 2025, marking a significant milestone in strengthening air connectivity between India and Uzbekistan. The new service will operate twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, offering travellers convenient schedules and affordable fares on the airline’s modern aircraft.
The launch followed a pre-launch celebration held in New Delhi on September 26, 2025, which was attended by senior dignitaries, trade partners, and His Excellency Mr. Sardor Rustambaev, Ambassador of Uzbekistan.
An Utsav Inaugural at Delhi’s IGI Airport
The inaugural flight ceremony, held at Indira Gandhi International Airport in association with GMR and airport authorities, was steeped in celebration followed by diya lighting ceremony commenced the event, welcoming departing passengers into a festive atmosphere with decorated check-in counters and vibrant rangoli. A cake-cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the milestone, as passengers enthusiastically took photos with specially curated props to mark the occasion. The flight crew was greeted with bouquets, while passengers were welcomed to India with special goodies, reflecting the importance of this new air bridge for both nations.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Adil Mirza, Centrum Air said: “It marks a proud moment for Centrum Air as we see our Delhi-Tashkent service take flight. India has always been a priority market for us. With this launch, we are not just adding a route; we are building a bridge that connects cultures, businesses, and people. We are confident that this direct link will inspire more travelers from India to experience Uzbekistan’s hospitality and heritage”.
Mr. Abhishek Goyal, Executive Director & CEO of Aeroprime Group, Centrum Air’s Exclusive GSA in India, added: “The inaugural Delhi-Tashkent flight reflects the strength of our partnership with Centrum Air. As Centrum Air’s Exclusive GSA in India, we are proud to support this service and ensure its success. This is more than a new route – it’s an opportunity to strengthen ties and bring the people of India and Uzbekistan closer together”.
Leaders Vision for Centrum Air
In an exclusive interaction the leadership team detailed the multi-layered strategy behind the India expansion.
The Airline’s Vision & Strategy
Unique Value Proposition of Centrum Air
Centrum Air offers a combination of modernity, convenience, and affordability that differentiates us in the market. Our Airbus A320 family fleet including newest A320neo and wide-bodies A330 ensures a safe, fuel-efficient, and comfortable journey, while our in-flight service emphasizes personalized hospitality with a touch of Uzbek warmth. Beyond the aircraft, our network strategy is focused on connecting India with key Central Asian cities and expanding into Europe, offering seamless transit options. Coupled with competitive pricing, this provides Indian travelers with a compelling reason to choose Centrum Air — not just for convenience, but for a holistic travel experience.
Leveraging the Indian studen market along with MICE, destination wedding and high end leisure tourism
The student segment gives us a steady foundation for consistent traffic. Leveraging this, we plan to engage corporate travel planners, MICE organizers, and leisure travelers through tailored campaigns, group offers, and partnership programs. There is a significant leisure demand between India and Uzbekistan and Centrum Air is looking to play a pivotal role in providing affordable fares. By building relationships with universities, corporates, and event planners, we can create synergies between different segments, gradually strengthening the overall demand and ensuring year-round utilization of our flights.
Competing with Middle East route for making CIS major transit hub
Absolutely. Tashkent is strategically positioned as a gateway between India, Central Asia, and Europe. While we respect established hubs in the Middle East, our goal is to offer travelers a shorter, more convenient transit option with a seamless travel experience. Our expanding network, combined with potential partnerships and codeshares, positions Tashkent as a competitive alternative for Indians traveling to Europe and the CIS region.
The GSA’s Business Strategy & Market Insight
Potential of Centrum Air and Uzbekistan Market with Aeroprime
Centrum Air has been growing rapidly and it represents the dynamics of modern aviation. We saw untapped potential in connecting India with Central Asia, particularly Uzbekistan, which is culturally rich, economically vibrant, and historically connected to India. Centrum Air combines modern fleet, reliable operations, affordable fares for Indian travelers, and an ambitious network expansion, making it a strategic partner. With Centrum Air, Aeroprime is looking to shape market perception, build strong tourist demand, build a strong student network, and create sustainable growth opportunities. With a philosophy that “if the destination is promoted, the airline will automatically succeed.
Challenges or Misconception about Uzbekistan in Indian Market
The primary challenge is awareness. Many Indian travelers are unaware of Uzbekistan’s accessibility, rich heritage, and leisure or business opportunities. Uzbekistan boasts stunning Silk Route cities like Samarkand and Bukhara, vibrant bazaars, architectural marvels, and unique cultural experiences. Its growing business hubs and modern infrastructure also make it an attractive destination for corporate travel. To address this, Aeroprime focuses on destination promotion, educating travel agents, and consumer outreach so that the idea of flying to Uzbekistan becomes both aspirational and practical. Aeroprime ensures that once the destination is properly promoted, the airline naturally gains traction.
Role of GSA to grow in complex market like India
Our role goes well beyond traditional sales. We have already modernized distribution and are distributing the inventory of Centrum Air via our proprietary Glid platform driving sales and significantly reducing distribution costs. We are also acting as a full-fledged market partner — providing market insights, competitive intelligence, route performance analytics, and supporting brand development campaigns. We are working on various marketing initiatives to build a brand awareness of Centrum Air in India. In a complex market like India, this approach ensures that Centrum Air’s entry is not only smooth but also strategically sustainable, maximizing both revenue and brand visibility.
Marketing Strategy & On-the-Ground Execution
Focus on B2B Engament or digital campaign to target Students and MICE Planners
Our strategy is multi-pronged. On the B2B side, we are actively engaging travel agents, tour operators, and corporate partners to create awareness and drive bookings. Simultaneously, we are running direct-to-consumer campaigns through digital channels targeting students, MICE planners, and leisure travelers. This ensures that both trade and end consumers understand the value proposition and unique opportunities offered by Centrum Air’s Delhi–Tashkent service and beyond.
All Economy class vs Diverse segments Class
Centrum Air’s all-economy configuration allows us to offer affordable yet high-quality travel. Our core message emphasizes comfort, reliability, and value — whether it’s a student traveling on budget, a corporate delegation, or a leisure group attending a destination wedding. The onboard experience which has a meal for every passenger, combined with convenient schedules and attractive pricing, resonates across segments.
India Uzbekistan Connection of History with Marketing to Build a Brand
India and Uzbekistan share a deep cultural, historical, and trade relationship. We leverage this narrative in our campaigns to create emotional connections, emphasizing shared heritage and people-to-people ties. Uzbekistan’s vibrant culture—from its stunning architecture, colorful bazaars, traditional music, dance, rich culinary traditions etc – all of this offers Indian travelers a truly immersive experience. By weaving these cultural elements into our storytelling, we ensure travelers see Centrum Air not just as a flight, but as a gateway to meaningful journeys that celebrate centuries of shared history and artistry, going far beyond mere price or convenience.
Centrum Air has demonstrated rapid growth, launching 13 aircraft and over 35 destinations in just 2.5 years. The airline plans to expand its fleet to 22 aircraft by the end of 2026. With today’s successful launch and ambitious plans for further expansion into South India, the Delhi-Tashkent route is poised to be a cornerstone of the growing relationship between the two nations.
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