Centrum Air’s inaugural Tashkent–Phuket flight receives warm Thai welcome

Bangkok, 3 November 2025 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hosted an airport ceremony to welcome Centrum Air’s inaugural Tashkent–Phuket flight, greeting arriving passengers with traditional cultural performances and souvenirs that reflected Thailand’s warm hospitality and signature visitor experience.

Flight C6529, operated by an Airbus A321 with 186 seats, arrived at Phuket International Airport on 31 October 2025 with a 95 per cent load factor. Among the passengers from Uzbekistan were five leading influencers on a seven-day trip across Phuket and the Andaman region to experience Thailand’s tourism offerings first-hand.

Mr. Santi Sawangcharoen, TAT Director of the Americas, Middle East and Africa Region, said “Centrum Air’s inaugural Tashkent–Phuket flight marks another success of TAT’s Airline Focus strategy to expand international air access to Thailand. Operating both charter and scheduled services, the airline plays a key role in linking Central Asia with global destinations and strengthening Thailand’s regional connectivity.”

An extension of Centrum Air’s Tashkent–Bangkok service launched in July 2025, the new Tashkent–Phuket route operates twice weekly on Wednesdays and Fridays, providing convenient access for Uzbek and Central Asian travellers to one of Thailand’s most popular destinations.

To promote the route, TAT is supporting Centrum Air in hosting five Uzbek influencers on a seven-day familiarisation trip across Phuket, Phang-nga, and Krabi. The itinerary includes beach and island activities, Muay Thai, wellness experiences, cultural explorations, and visits to conservation sites. The trip highlights Thailand’s appeal as a destination blending nature, culture, sport, and lifestyle for travellers from Uzbekistan and Central Asia.

From 1 January to 28 October 2025, Thailand recorded 41,173 arrivals from Uzbekistan, marking a 37 per cent year-on-year increase. Over 80 per cent of Uzbek visitors are first-time travellers, primarily families and couples who favour beach, nature, and wellness destinations. They typically book through tour operators and travel during major holidays such as the New Year in December and the Novruz holidays in March, with Phuket, Bangkok, Chon Buri, and Krabi among their preferred destinations. TAT projects arrivals from this market to reach 50,000 by the end of 2025.