The private airline Air Samarkand made its first demonstration flight on December 28, the press service of Uzbekistan Airports reported.

An Airbus A330 aircraft with representatives of the carrier's management performed a flight on the route Samarkand - Tashkent - Samarkand. At the capital's airport, the aircraft was greeted with a traditional water arch.

The flight was carried out to check the work of the flight and cabin crews, the report notes. In addition, the company intended to ensure that all requirements and procedures were met before commencing commercial transportation.

On December 27, Air Samarkand received an operator certificate from the Civil Aviation Agency of Uzbekistan.

The carrier was established in April last year and held a presentation in December. The company announced plans to launch flights to 14 cities in Russia and Asian countries on medium-haul Airbus A320 aircraft with full economy configuration.

Air Samarkand chose Samarkand International Airport as its base location. The first Airbus A330, leased from the Chinese Minsheng Financial Leasing, arrived in Uzbekistan on November 2.

The carrier also received several A320 and A321 aircraft. In the current autumn-winter season, Air Samarkand will launch regular and charter flights from Samarkand to Southeast Asia, Turkey, China and the Middle East.