Uzbekistan Launches First Direct Tashkent to Mauritius Flights Establishing Central Asia to Indian Ocean Corridor

Uzbekistan has announced the launch of the first direct flight service connecting Tashkent with Mauritius, creating a direct aviation bridge between Central Asia and the Indian Ocean.

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — The Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan and national aviation authorities have confirmed the inaugural non-stop service between Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport (TAS) and Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) in Mauritius, scheduled to commence on December 26, 2026.

The air route establishes a new travel corridor linking Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) markets with Indian Ocean island resorts. Operations begin with an initial four round-trip seasonal services across December 2026 and January 2027, before transitioning into a permanent weekly scheduled service in June 2027. The route positions Tashkent as a primary regional transit hub for passengers originating in Kazakhstan, Russia, and Central Asia heading toward southern hemisphere holiday destinations.

Aviation Route Parameter	Project Specification / Operational Standard	Strategic Regional Impact
Origin Airport	Tashkent International Airport (TAS)	Uzbekistan's primary international gateway
Destination Airport	Mauritius Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (MRU)	Primary Indian Ocean island aviation hub
Inaugural Flight Date	December 26, 2026	First direct Central Asia–Indian Ocean route
Initial Phase Schedule	4 Round-Trip Services (Dec 2026 – Jan 2027)	Seasonal peak winter holiday testing
Permanent Schedule	Weekly Regular Flights starting June 2027	Year-round leisure & trade connectivity
Target Transit Feeder	Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan & CIS States	Strengthens Tashkent as a regional hub

Government Financial Subsidies under "Open Tourist Season"

To ensure the economic viability of the new long-haul route, the Government of Uzbekistan is deploying financial incentives authorized under its national "Open Tourist Season" development program:

            Uzbekistan "Open Tourist Season" Financial Incentives
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ $100 USD Airline Subsidy per Inbound Foreign Tourist Brought to Uzbekistan│
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 20% Reduction on Airport Ground Service & Handling Costs for Airlines    │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ $5,000 USD Grant for Tour Operators per 1,000 Long-Haul Visitors Brought │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

1. Direct Airline Subsidies: Airlines launching new long-haul routes receive a $100 USD subsidy for each foreign tourist brought into Uzbekistan.
2. Airport Handling Fee Discounts: Carriers benefit from a 20% cost reduction on airport landing, parking, and ground handling services at Tashkent International Airport.
3. Tour Operator Grants: Local destination management companies (DMCs) receive $5,000 USD in government grants for every 1,000 international tourists delivered from non-regional long-haul origin markets like Mauritius.

Incentive Program Element	Financial Value / Discount Standard	Target Beneficiary
Per-Tourist Flight Subsidy	$100 USD cash subsidy per foreign tourist	Airlines operating new long-haul routes
Airport Handling Discount	20% reduction on ground service charges	Operating air carriers at TAS Airport
Tour Operator Grant	$5,000 USD per 1,000 non-CIS tourists	Registered Uzbek travel agencies & DMCs

Two-Way Tourism Trade: Indian Ocean Resorts and Silk Road Heritage

The direct air service creates dual-direction tourism opportunities across Central Asia and the Indian Ocean:

                  Two-Way Cultural & Leisure Travel Flows
 ┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
 │ Outbound (Central Asia to Mauritius): Beach resorts, marine diving,   │
 │ luxury leisure, and winter-sun holiday packages                       │
 ├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
 │ Inbound (Mauritius to Uzbekistan): UNESCO Silk Road heritage circuits │
 │ in Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, and Islamic cultural monuments           │
 └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

• Outbound Central Asian Leisure: Offers travelers from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia direct access to Mauritius's luxury resorts, coral reefs, and tropical climate without connecting via Middle Eastern hubs.
• Inbound UNESCO Heritage Travel: Mauritian tourists gain direct access to Uzbekistan's historic Silk Road cities—including Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, and Tashkent—focusing on Islamic architecture, culinary tourism, and ancient artisan culture.

Destination Region	Core Target Attraction	Traveler Segment Focus
Mauritius (MRU)	Beach resorts, coral marine diving & nature	Honeymooners, families & leisure travelers
Uzbekistan (TAS)	Samarkand, Bukhara & Khiva Silk Road sites	Cultural tourists, heritage & pilgrimage travel

International Passenger Logistics: Tashkent Transit Hub, Visa-Free Rules, and Airport Transfers

Travelers utilizing the new Tashkent–Mauritius travel corridor should observe key operational guidelines:

Visa & Entry Requirements

• Uzbekistan Entry & Transit: Citizens of over 90 countries enjoy visa-free entry to Uzbekistan for up to 30 days. International airside transit passengers connecting at Tashkent Airport (TAS) within 24 hours do not require an entry visa provided they remain in the international transit lounge.
• Mauritius Entry Rules: Citizens of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and most CIS countries receive visa-free entry on arrival in Mauritius for stays up to 60 days (requiring a valid passport, return flight ticket, and confirmed hotel booking).

Tashkent Airport (TAS) Connection Guidance

• Inter-Terminal Transit: Tashkent International Airport operates separate terminals for international (Terminal 2) and domestic (Terminal 3) flights. Passengers connecting from domestic flights or regional CIS arrivals to the Mauritius departure must allow at least 2.5 hours for terminal transfer via shuttle or taxi.

Transit Corridor	Carrier / Frequency	Visa Requirement	Transfer Logistics Advice
Tashkent (TAS) to Mauritius (MRU)	Direct Boeing 787 / A330	Visa on Arrival for Uzbeks	4 seasonal flights (Dec/Jan), Weekly from June 2027
Almaty / Astana to Tashkent	Daily regional feeder flights	Visa-Free for Kazakhs	Connect at TAS Terminal 2 international transit
Moscow / CIS to Tashkent	Daily long-haul feeder flights	Visa-Free for Russians	Airside luggage transfer available on through-tickets

Frequently Asked Questions

When do direct flights between Tashkent and Mauritius begin?

Initial non-stop flights launch on December 26, 2026, operating four round-trip seasonal services through December and January, before transitioning into a permanent weekly scheduled service in June 2027.

What incentives is Uzbekistan offering to support the Mauritius route?

Under the "Open Tourist Season" program, airlines receive a $100 USD subsidy per foreign tourist brought to Uzbekistan and a 20% discount on airport ground service charges, while tour operators receive $5,000 USD for every 1,000 international visitors.

Do Uzbek citizens need a visa to visit Mauritius?

No. Uzbek passport holders receive visa-free entry on arrival in Mauritius for stays up to 60 days, provided they hold a valid passport, confirmed return ticket, and hotel reservation.

How does the route position Tashkent as a regional transit hub?

The direct flight enables passengers from Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and other CIS states to fly into Tashkent and connect directly to the Indian Ocean without traveling through congested Middle Eastern airports.

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