The statement emphasized that, according to the Air Code of Uzbekistan and the requirements of licensing, permitting, and notification procedures, any legal entity intending to operate aircraft in civil aviation must first obtain an operator certificate from the Uzaviation agency.

"Only after receiving the aircraft operator certificate can an organization be granted the status of an airline and the right to carry out air transport services.

The organization calling itself GAB Airlines has not yet submitted an application to the Uzaviation agency for the aircraft operator certificate, nor has it provided any documents regarding the purchase or lease of aircraft," the statement reads.