Photo: oxu.az
Tajikistan has officially implemented an “Open Skies” policy, allowing foreign airlines to increase flight frequencies regardless of the number of flights operated by domestic carriers. The new measures were announced by the Civil Aviation Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers, as reported by Avesta.tj.
Previously, the country followed a reciprocity principle, which meant that foreign airlines could only operate as many flights as Tajik carriers on the same routes. This limitation has now been lifted.
In addition to removing the flight parity rule, the new government decree eliminates restrictions on aircraft type, number of carriers, airfare pricing, and route networks. One of the first companies to take advantage of the change is Turkish Airlines, which will increase its flights between Dushanbe and Istanbul from three to five times per week starting August 1.
However, the reforms do not apply to all routes immediately. The Civil Aviation Agency has listed 18 routes that will continue under the previous regulatory framework for the next three years. After that period, the liberalized rules will extend to all international flights without exception.
The Open Skies policy currently covers international airports in Dushanbe, Khujand, Kulob, and Bokhtar.
The Civil Aviation Agency has been tasked with ensuring third and fourth freedom traffic rights for all interested parties, and with gradually removing regulatory barriers for foreign carriers.
In light of the reforms, Tajikistan’s antitrust authorities, air traffic management enterprises, and airport administrations have been instructed to improve passenger services, lower the cost of related services, and enhance infrastructure.
According to experts, the implementation of the Open Skies policy is expected to boost competition in Tajikistan’s aviation market, reduce airfare prices, and attract additional investment to the country’s civil aviation sector.
