United Airlines Considers Launching Flights to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan

Restricted access to Russian airspace remains one of the main obstacles

U.S. carrier United Airlines is exploring the possibility of launching direct flights to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Company representatives have already visited both countries to assess opportunities for new routes, although the plans are currently complicated by restrictions on using Russian airspace.

The information was disclosed by United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby during the Cheeky Pint podcast published on October 27. According to Kirby, Patrick Quayle, the airline’s Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances, visited Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan this year.

Kirby cited the trip as an example of the airline’s efforts to explore destinations beyond traditional tourism markets. However, he did not specify which cities could be added to the network, which U.S. airports could serve the routes, or when flights might begin.

“Today, we cannot fly there because we are unable to overfly Russia. But perhaps that will become a reality in the future,” Kirby said.

Restricted Russian airspace remains one of the key challenges for U.S. airlines seeking to operate services to Central Asia. Routing flights around Russia increases travel distances and may affect the economic viability of such routes.

Direct air service between Uzbekistan and the United States already exists. Uzbekistan Airways operates flights between Tashkent and New York using Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Private carrier Qanot Sharq also launched direct flights on the route in March 2026.

As a result, a potential entry by United Airlines would introduce a U.S. carrier to a market currently served by Central Asian airlines. At present, no U.S. airline operates scheduled direct passenger flights to Uzbekistan or Kazakhstan.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan’s Air Astana plans to begin flights to New York in the second half of 2027. The airline is initially considering operating two flights per week. To launch the route, Air Astana would need to avoid Russian airspace, which would increase flight times and could require restrictions on aircraft payloads.

According to Air Astana CEO Ibrahim Kanlıel, access to Russian airspace would reduce travel time by approximately two hours and eliminate payload restrictions.

Kirby also noted that United Airlines already carries passengers traveling to Kazakhstan through its partnership with Lufthansa. This suggests existing demand for travel between the United States and Kazakhstan, although the head of the U.S. airline did not provide specific plans for opening new routes.

Photo: United Airlines.

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