Airline overview
Uzbekistan Airways is the national airline of the Republic of Uzbekistan, headquartered in the capital Tashkent. Its IATA two-letter code is HY, its ICAO three-letter code is UZB and its radio call sign is UZBEK. The website is uzairways.com.
On 28 January 1992 a presidential decree created the national airline, opening a new stage for civil aviation in the country. Over more than thirty years it has built a steady structure of scheduled passenger, charter passenger and cargo business, with a network of more than 70 destinations in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America, carrying about 5 million passengers in 2023.
The fleet is mainly Boeing 787-8, 767-300ER and Airbus A320 series aircraft, with regional types such as the ATR-72. Belly holds are the main cargo carrier, and the widebody fleet provides steady belly space on long-haul routes. Tashkent International Airport, as the hub, is the key transit point between China and Central Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
For a shipper in China the value is the Eurasian cargo path through Tashkent. Chinese exports can fly to Tashkent from Beijing, Shanghai, Urumqi, Guangzhou and Shenzhen and connect to long-haul routes to Europe, the Middle East and North America, giving belly cargo connections from China to Eurasian markets.
On trade fundamentals, China is an important partner for Uzbekistan, and two-way trade is dominated by machinery, textiles, consumer goods and building materials, with Central Asian demand for Chinese goods still growing. Air cargo to Central Asia is mainly small and medium lots with a tight transit requirement, and Uzbekistan Airways belly capacity plus the high frequency between Urumqi and Tashkent gives that cargo a steady channel.
Company history
Global fleet composition
The fleet is mainly passenger aircraft, with cargo carried in belly holds and on charters. For the Chinese export market the bellies of the 787-8 and 767-300ER widebodies provide steady ULD space on China-Europe and China-America routes.
| Aircraft type | Fleet role | Freight characteristics | Suitable China cargo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 787-8 | Main long-haul widebody | About 270 seats, with a belly that takes ULDs and loose cargo, a range of about 12,700 km, flying long-haul routes from Tashkent to New York, Seoul and Frankfurt | Bulk belly cargo from China via Tashkent to Europe and North America |
| Boeing 767-300ER | Widebody passenger aircraft | About 247 seats with a steady belly volume and a range of about 9,000 km on medium and long-haul international routes | Belly cargo from China to Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe |
| Airbus A320 series | Main narrowbody type | A320ceo, A320neo and A321neo on short and medium sectors; the belly suits loose and small-lot cargo | Day-to-day loose cargo and express shipments on China to Tashkent routes |
| ATR-72 / L-410 | Regional aircraft type | Flies regional routes within Central Asia; belly space is limited and suits small lots for connection | Regional connecting cargo from Tashkent to neighbouring Central Asian countries |
According to the airline's website, the fleet includes Boeing 767, 787-8, Airbus A320ceo, A320neo and A321neo, L-410 and ATR-72 types. Fleet numbers and configuration follow commercial decisions and the carrier's latest publication. On cargo, the airline offers scheduled and charter services, and widebody belly space is the main source of capacity for Chinese exports.
For a shipper with moderate volume and destinations concentrated in Europe or the Middle East, a widebody belly is a controllable option: space is organised by ULD and loose cargo, no full-charter cost is involved, and the schedule follows the passenger operation. For larger volumes, assess a full freighter charter or a sea-air plan through the Navoi logistics centre to balance transit time and cost.
Business model
Uzbekistan Airways builds its cargo business on belly capacity from passenger aircraft, supported by charter operations and ground logistics resources. Its customers are freight forwarders and cross-border trading companies. Chinese shippers and forwarders can secure capacity in the following ways, depending on volume and transit time.
Belly capacity on widebody passenger aircraft
The 787-8 and 767-300ER offer belly space on China to Tashkent flights and on long-haul international routes. The fit is cargo with steady volumes and clear transit requirements.
Scheduled and charter cargo
The airline runs both scheduled and charter cargo. Chinese shippers can request an all-cargo or combi charter according to volume, with routings and frequencies planned to requirement.
Transit through the Tashkent hub
Tashkent International Airport is the hub, linking long-haul routes toward Europe, the Middle East and Asia. One transit at Tashkent opens a wide regional market to Chinese cargo.
Navoi logistics center
The international multimodal logistics center at Navoi Airport is one of the region's largest air cargo complexes. It connects Chinese cities including Xi'an, Foshan, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Tianjin and Shenzhen and provides warehousing and transhipment.
Points served in China
Under operating permits published by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, Uzbekistan Airways is authorized to fly passenger and cargo services from Beijing, Shanghai, Urumqi, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Shijiazhuang to Tashkent. The Guangzhou route includes a freighter permit. The main Chinese points follow.
Beijing
Main point in North China, linking northern supply with the Tashkent hub. Belly and combi capacity together carry exports from North China to Central Asia and Europe.
Shanghai Pudong (PVG)
Main point in East China, authorized for the Tashkent route. A belly channel for cross-border e-commerce and electronics from the Yangtze River Delta.
Urumqi (URC)
One of China's closest gateway cities to Central Asia. The Urumqi to Tashkent route runs at higher frequency, which suits time-sensitive cargo from western China.
Guangzhou (CAN)
Main point in South China with a freighter permit. Carries volume cargo from the Pearl River Delta nonstop to Tashkent.
Shenzhen (SZX)
South China point, authorized for the Tashkent route. Serves higher-value exports from Shenzhen and nearby.
Shijiazhuang (SJW)
North China point, authorized for the Tashkent route. Covers Central Asian demand from inland North China.
Within the Eurasian logistics network served by the Navoi multimodal center, cities such as Xi'an, Foshan and Tianjin combine with Guangzhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen to form cargo connections from China to Uzbekistan. Schedules are as published by the carrier on the day of booking.
Uzbekistan Airways maintains a cargo sales agent network in China covering Beijing, Urumqi and Shenzhen, among other points, so shippers and forwarders can obtain capacity and rate information through agents. Cargo transiting Tashkent normally connects to local surface transport at destination, reaching the Central Asian republics and neighboring markets.
China to Tashkent and onward global markets
Uzbekistan Airways uses Tashkent as a hub to connect Chinese exports with markets in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America. The main cargo flows follow.
Once Chinese export cargo reaches Tashkent it can connect to Uzbekistan Airways long-haul routes: Frankfurt for central European markets, Istanbul and Dubai for the Middle East and southern Europe, Seoul and Tokyo for Northeast Asia, and New York for North America. The Tashkent to New York service flown by the 787 Dreamliner gives Chinese cargo a belly route to North America through Central Asia.
Cargo types suited to China exports
Uzbekistan Airways belly capacity suits small and medium volumes with tight transit times. Given the structure of China's trade with Central Asia and Europe, these cargo types fit the airline.
Mechanical and electrical products and equipment
Machinery, construction equipment and spare parts exported from China to Central Asia move in moderate volumes and suit full-pallet or ULD carriage in widebody belly holds.
Consumer goods
Textiles, apparel, household goods and general merchandise are deconsolidated at Tashkent for the Central Asian republics, and belly space covers small and medium lots.
Electronics and high-value cargo
High-value goods such as phones, computers and telecom equipment travel on all-passenger aircraft for dependable transit time and security, with Tashkent as the transit point to Europe.
Agricultural produce and perishables
Fruit, vegetables, dried fruit and fresh produce moving between China and Central Asia can be booked into temperature-controlled space, and the Tashkent hub has cold-chain handling.
Auto parts and chemicals
Auto parts and chemicals declared under IATA DGR are loaded in the belly hold under compliant stowage plans, which suits small replenishment lots.
Cross-border e-commerce cargo
E-commerce parcels for Central Asia and Europe: the frequency between Urumqi and Tashkent gives western China's e-commerce exports a steady channel.
Core freight capabilities
Uzbekistan Airways serves the Eurasian belly cargo market in the following areas, covering the whole flow from loading at a Chinese airport to deconsolidation at destination.
Transit through the Tashkent hub
Tashkent International Airport sits in the middle of the Eurasian landmass, between China, Europe and the Middle East. It has established freighter and belly handling, and Chinese cargo transits quickly.
Widebody belly capacity
The 787-8 and 767-300ER widebodies provide dependable ULD and loose-load space for Chinese exports in small and medium lots with tight transit times.
Eurasian long-haul network
Long-haul routes from Tashkent to Frankfurt, Istanbul, Dubai, Seoul, Tokyo and New York cover the main markets of Europe, the Middle East, Northeast Asia and North America.
Navoi logistics center
The international multimodal logistics center at Navoi Airport provides warehousing, transhipment and ground services and is linked to several Chinese cities, supporting larger cargo programs.
National carrier operating system
As the national airline, Uzbekistan Airways follows ICAO and IATA safety standards and maintains stable flight operations and ground support.
Engineering and ground resources
The group's Uzbekistan Airways Technics provides aircraft maintenance and repair (MRO). A training center develops flight and engineering staff to ICAO and IOSA standards, giving cargo operations dependable technical and crew support.
Booking path from China
Chinese shippers can book belly space or charter capacity on Uzbekistan Airways through the steps below.
Requirement confirmation
Confirm cargo type, total weight, total volume, packaging and final destination, and whether the shipment involves dangerous goods, a cold chain or transhipment.
Capacity enquiry
Check flights and transit options from Beijing, Shanghai, Urumqi, Guangzhou and other points against the destination, then confirm rate and space.
Booking and handover
Goodhope Freight books with the carrier. Cargo is delivered to the warehouse at the chosen gateway, export cleared, loaded, and connected to the Tashkent transit.
Transport and tracking
Flight status is tracked throughout. On arrival at Tashkent or the final destination, customs clearance and deconsolidation follow.
Booking Uzbekistan Airways from China
Departures from Beijing, Shanghai, Urumqi, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and other points connect through the Tashkent hub to Central Asia, Europe and the Middle East, with belly or charter solutions available on request. Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited provides booking, consolidation and export clearance, and transit coordination.
Visit the Goodhope Freight website (goodhope86.com)Network: from China to the world
Chinese export cargo departs Beijing, Shanghai, Urumqi and Guangzhou and connects through the Tashkent hub to markets in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America.
Decision guide for Chinese shippers
Chinese exporters have many logistics options to Central Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Uzbekistan Airways is a clear fit in the following cases.
Direct access to Central Asian markets
Uzbekistan and its neighbors are major trading partners for China. Routes such as Urumqi to Tashkent give Chinese cargo an air link into the heart of Central Asia.
Transit advantage within Eurasia
Tashkent lies in the middle of the Eurasian landmass. Chinese cargo to Europe transiting Tashkent gains another option in both belly capacity and frequency.
Fast belly transport
Belly transport suits small and medium lots with tight deadlines. Electronics, spare parts and samples reach Tashkent quickly and continue to European markets.
Stability of a national carrier
As the national airline, Uzbekistan Airways has dependable route rights and ground support, which suits Chinese shippers looking for long-term cooperation.
Capacity advice for Chinese shippers
Shippers whose destination is Tashkent or a neighboring Central Asian country should favor western gateways such as Urumqi for the shorter flight and quicker connection. Shippers sending cargo to Europe or the Middle East should compare nonstop Europe services with transit at Tashkent on total transit time and rate. Small time-critical lots suit belly space, and larger volumes may justify a charter or a sea-air combination.
What Goodhope Freight does on Uzbekistan Airways
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited has long handled air freight from China to Central Asia and Europe. For Uzbekistan Airways capacity, the company provides the services below directly to Chinese shippers.
Belly and charter booking
Goodhope Freight checks flights and rates on Uzbekistan Airways from Beijing, Shanghai, Urumqi, Guangzhou and other points, then holds belly space or applies for a charter.
Cargo consolidation at China ports and customs declaration
Chinese shippers can deliver to major gateways; we handle consolidation, export declaration and the capacity handover, and organize departure around the flight schedule.
Connecting at Tashkent
Goodhope Freight arranges the transit connection at the Tashkent hub, coordinating onward flights and ground handling so cargo reaches European and Middle Eastern destinations as planned.
Arrival tracking and destination distribution
From departure in China, Goodhope Freight tracks the air waybill, assists with customs clearance and deconsolidation at destination, and covers the chain from booking to delivery.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Which Chinese cities does Uzbekistan Airways serve?
Under CAAC operating permits, the airline is authorized to fly passenger and cargo services to Tashkent from Beijing, Shanghai, Urumqi, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Shijiazhuang.
What are the IATA and ICAO codes for Uzbekistan Airways?
The IATA code is HY, the ICAO code is UZB, and the radio call sign is UZBEK. The website is uzairways.com.
Which aircraft types does Uzbekistan Airways fly?
The fleet includes the Boeing 787-8, 767-300ER, Airbus A320ceo, A320neo and A321neo, the L-410 and the ATR-72. Cargo space is sold as belly capacity on passenger flights.
Which Chinese exports suit Uzbekistan Airways?
Machinery and electrical products, consumer goods, electronics, fresh produce, auto parts and chemicals, and cross-border e-commerce cargo fit belly transport in small and medium lots with tight transit times.
Which markets can be reached through the Tashkent hub?
Tashkent connects to Frankfurt, Istanbul, Dubai and Moscow in Europe and the Middle East, to Seoul and Tokyo in Asia, and to New York in North America.
How does the Navoi logistics center relate to Uzbekistan Airways?
The international multimodal logistics center at Navoi Airport is operated within Uzbekistan's state aviation system. It is one of the region's largest air cargo complexes and is linked to several Chinese cities.
How do I book cargo on Uzbekistan Airways?
Contact Goodhope Freight to check flights and rates and to book. The company handles consolidation, export clearance, the Tashkent transit connection and arrival tracking.
How often does the Urumqi to Tashkent route operate?
Urumqi is one of China's closest gateway cities to Central Asia and the Urumqi to Tashkent route runs at higher frequency. Exact schedules are as published by the carrier on the day of booking.
Disclaimer
All information is provided for reference only and does not constitute a transport contract or commercial commitment. Routes, schedules, fleet and cargo capability at Uzbekistan Airways may change with commercial decisions without notice. Flight times are local, and actual schedules and rates are subject to confirmation by the carrier or the relevant authority on the day of booking.
Contact details
For details of air freight services from China to Central Asia, Europe and other regions, or for help booking Uzbekistan Airways, contact:
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited (Goodhope Freight)
Official website: goodhope86.com
Trademark notice
Uzbekistan Airways, HY, UZB, UZBEK and related marks are registered trademarks or trademarks of Uzbekistan Airways or its affiliates. These names appear here for identification and description only and do not imply any agency, partnership or affiliation between the publisher and Uzbekistan Airways. Other airline names and trademarks mentioned belong to their respective owners.