Flights from Tashkent to Dubai return mid-air due to partial UAE airspace closure

Two passenger flights from Tashkent to Dubai were forced to turn back and return to Uzbekistan after the United Arab Emirates partially closed its airspace.

Photo: Uzbekistan Airports

Aircraft operated by Centrum Air and Uzbekistan Airways, which had departed for Dubai, were redirected back to Tashkent International Airport, according to the press service of Uzbekistan Airports.

The decision was taken due to a partial closure of the airspace of the United Arab Emirates, the operator said.

According to data from Flightradar24, flight HY-333 operated by Uzbekistan Airways turned around while flying over the airspace of Tajikistan and has already returned to the departure airport in Tashkent.

Meanwhile, flight C6-351 operated by Centrum Air had nearly reached Dubai before changing course in the southern part of Pakistan’s airspace. The aircraft later re-entered the airspace of Uzbekistan.

Recent resumption of flights

Passenger flights between Uzbekistan and the Gulf had only recently resumed.

On March 10, the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan authorized bilateral passenger flights between Uzbekistan and both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The ministry also lifted earlier restrictions related to the type and nationality of passengers.

A day later, Uzbekistan Airways announced the opening of free ticket sales for flights on the Tashkent – Dubai – Tashkent route, confirming that all passenger transport restrictions had been removed.

Starting March 14, the private carrier Centrum Air also resumed regular flights on the same route.