The Uzbekistan-based cargo airline start-up Fly Khiva Group has launched freighter operations to Belgium’s Liege Airport as part of its services from Asia to Europe. The new flights will be operated with a Boeing B767-300 BCF three times a week.
The airline was launched at the start of the year with the aim of developing domestic and international cargo and passenger flights alongside its passenger charter operation and agency services for Azerbaijan Airlines’ flights from Uzbekistan.
The company received its operator certificate in February.
Flight tracking website Flight Radar 24 shows that the airline has been operating flights utilising its 767 freighter to Liege, Hong Kong and Riga from Tashkent.
The carrier has plans to add more freighters in the coming months.
Farkhad Mukhutdinov, commercial director of Fly Khiva Group, said: “We are pleased to announce Fly Khiva Group’s inaugural flight to Liege Airport (LGG), marking an important step in our journey to expand our air cargo operations.
“Fly Khiva Group has been steadily growing to meet the increasing demands of the e-commerce sector.
“As part of our development plans, we are expanding our fleet with the addition of Boeing 767-300 freighters, the first of which we expect to receive in the coming months.
“These new aircraft will enhance our capacity and efficiency, enabling us to provide reliable delivery solutions. We chose Liege Airport as our European gateway due to its strategic location and suitability for cargo operations.”
Liege Airport said the airline was the third new carrier connecting Liege and Asia added this year.
Alexis Lapot, cargo manager of Liege Airport, added: “This strategic agreement represents a significant step forward in our efforts to broaden our global presence.
“Fly Khiva’s three weekly flights connecting Asia and Europe via their Uzbekistan hub represent the aerial rebirth of the historic Silk Road.
“This new Air Silk Road will ease trade and transit between the two continents, increasing efficiency between Hong Kong International Airport, the world’s biggest cargo airport, and Liege Airport, Europe’s busiest freighter hub.
“Uzbekistan benefits from a long and illustrious history of trade and commerce thanks to its advantageous position at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.
“The country’s aviation industry is booming, and new carriers like Fly Khiva are giving it a chance to become a regional aviation powerhouse.”
Liege has seen its cargo volumes take off this year as e-commerce volumes from China boom.
The airport saw its cargo volumes increase by 21% year on year in June to 95,514 tonnes and there was a 15% increase over the first six months to 566,117 tonnes.
