The aircraft went through a water salute, and passengers and crew were greeted in the arrivals area with flowers and traditional sweets. This ceremonial welcome marked the launch of the new route and the growth of travel options between Uzbekistan and the UAE.

The festive atmosphere persisted inside the terminal, where an official ceremony took place with representatives from Etihad Airways, Uzbekistan Airports, and the UAE Embassy in Uzbekistan. Participants highlighted the significance of the new air service in boosting transport, tourism, and business connections between the two nations.

Following the speeches, one of the ceremony’s main symbolic moments took place – the ribbon-cutting marking the official launch of the new air route. The event concluded with the cutting of a celebratory cake and a group photo of the participants, commemorating the day in the history of the new air service between Tashkent and Abu Dhabi.

The initial flight was just the start of a regular service. Etihad Airways plans to run daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Tashkent with Airbus A320 planes, offering travelers more direct options between the two capitals.

The daily flights, in turn, are expected to strengthen business and tourism ties between Uzbekistan and the UAE.