Hangzhou International Airport launches its first direct passenger flight route to Tashkent, Uzbekistan on Nov 17. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

Hangzhou International Airport launched its first direct passenger flight route to Tashkent, Uzbekistan on Nov 17, marking Zhejiang province's first connection to the country. This is the airport's second Central Asia route, following the Hangzhou-Almaty service.

The Hangzhou-Tashkent route is operated weekly by Uzbekistan Airways. Flight HY503 departs Tashkent at 12:40 local time on Sundays, arriving in Hangzhou at 22:00 Beijing time. Return flight HY504 departs Hangzhou at 23:30, reaching Tashkent at 4:10 the next day. The direct flight reduces travel time between the two cities to about 13 hours, eliminating layovers in Beijing or Urumqi.

Uzbekistan has been a key supporter of the Belt and Road Initiative, fostering growing exchanges with China. Uzbekistan Airways, which already operates routes to Beijing and Urumqi, views Hangzhou as a strategic addition. "Hangzhou, known for its rich culture and rapid innovation, is a hub for business and cultural exchange," said Tropov, Uzbekistan Airways' China chief representative.

With this addition, Hangzhou International Airport now connects to 36 international destinations across 21 countries. This year alone, it has added or resumed 10 routes, including ones to Sapporo, Vientiane, Ho Chi Minh City, Chiang Mai, Melbourne, and now Tashkent, reinforcing its role as a growing international aviation hub.

A customs officer inspects the documents of an international traveler. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]