Air Central Asia? Fernandes looks to Uzbekistan
Contributors are not employed, compensated or governed by TD, opinions and statements are from the contributor directly
Malaysian low-cost carrier, AirAsia, may launch flights to Uzbekistan in a move to establish better trade links between the two countries, Bernama has reported.
Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, said he had informed AirAsia’s Chief Executive Officer, Tony Fernandes, of the matter and that Fernandes had agreed to study the possibility.
“Uzbekistan President, Islam Karimov, wanted us to establish air linkages and I think AirAsia could play that role as it is a low-cost carrier,” PM Abdullah was reported as saying during his four days official visit to the Central Asian state.
Currently, Uzbekistan Airways and Malaysian Airlines operate a code-sharing agreement on the Tashkent-Kuala Lumpur route. Increased flights will however, be important as the two countries aim to broaden economic relations. Uzbekistan is a landlocked country, thus making air links vital.
Bernama reported that Uzbekistan is willing to offer more oil and gas concessions to Malaysian national oil company, Petronas. The Malaysian company has invested US$90 million thus far for exploration and oil and gas projects across Uzbekistan, with a further US$150-200 million investment planned over the next 3 years, the report added.
Comments are closed.