PANAJI: The first commercial flight from Uzbekistan landed at the Manohar International Airport, Mopa, on Sunday, bringing 111 passengers from Tashkent.
The flight returned to Tashkent with 82 passengers, including 40 students flying to Russia for medical studies. Flight HY429 marks the maiden flight for Uzbekistan Airways JSC at the new airport.
“The passengers to Tashkent were first-time students on their way for their MBBS course in medical universities in Russia,” said Anish Arya, the representative for Uzbekistan Airways in India.
Interestingly, Sunday also marked Air Arabia’s quiet decision to shift operations to Mopa. Air Arabia, which operates direct flights from Goa to Sharjah, used to operate out of Dabolim airport.
A senior official at the airport confirmed that Air Arabia will stop operations from Dabolim. “This is the second route launch in India for Uzbekistan Airways in 2024. The airline launched regular flights to Mumbai on April 2,” said Arya.
Uzbekistan Airways will now operate bi-weekly flights every Sunday and Wednesday from Mopa. The flights will utilise a narrow-body Airbus A320 or equivalent aircraft.
Uzbekistan Airways’ first flight, HY429 from Tashkent to Goa, landed at 11:37am and was welcomed with a water cannon salute to honour the launch of a new international carrier and destination.