Tashkent explained the reason on refusal to accommodate a flight from Dushanbe

Almaty. February 24. Silkroadnews – The national airline of Uzbekistan, “Uzbekistan Airways”, explained the reason behind refusal to accommodate flight of “Somon Air” airline from Dushanbe, Tajik news agency (TajikTA) reports on Friday.

“According to the effective procedures, for the foreign airline to get an operating permit in Uzbekistan a due set of documents on flights performance should be submitted to NAC not later than 30 days prior to the flight planned start date”, the statement said.

On February 10, 2017, senior managers of the Uzbek airlines met the delegation of “Somon Air” at the administrative office of “Uzbekistan Airways”. During the meeting the Tajik air carriers have been presented a set of documents on performance of regular flights to Uzbekistan. At present, this package is under consideration, according to the procedures established.

To remind, the first, after 25-year break, regular flight on Dushanbe-Tashkent route was scheduled to be carried out on February 20 of this year. Plane of the Tajik “Somon Air” with 26 passengers on board was ready to depart to Tashkent.

However, the flight was canceled. Then a statement by the Tajik side followed saying that Tashkent has refused to accommodate the Tajik aircraft for “security reasons”.

The aviation authorities of Uzbekistan, in their turn, reported that it is the Tajik side to blame for the flight cancellation, as the relevant documents have not been provided in a timely manner.

In response, “Somon Air” airline senior managers have admitted that the flight cancellation was caused by the airline fault and apologized to Tashkent.

The statement by “Somon Air” also informed on dismissal of the airline Commercial Director, Alisher Rustamov, and other managers in charge of the failed flight.

On February 23 the officials of “Dushanbe International Airport” reported that Dushanbe-Tashkent flight by “Somon Air” has been declared in the flights schedule to depart at 01.00 p.m.

Yet later a delay of the flight was announced and the Tajik side has not give any comments on the reasons behind a delay so far. Representatives of “Somon Air” and the Ministry of Transport of Tajikistan does not comment on the situation.