UZBEKISTAN: Uzbekistan Classified 5th Safest Country For Single tourists

The report was based on a survey of residents of 142 countries according to several criteria, among which were questions about how safe they feel when walking alone in the city at night, whether they trust the local police and whether they have been robbed or attacked.

Singapore has the highest security index (97 units). It is followed by Norway, Iceland and Finland, each with a safety index of 93 units.

According to the press service of the State Committee for Tourism of Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan ranked fifth in the ranking (91 units), followed by Hong Kong (91 units), Switzerland (91 units), Canada (90 units), Indonesia (89 units) and Denmark (88 units).

According to the legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan foreign citizens and stateless persons can enter Uzbekistan or travel through its territory for transit on the basis of entrance visas only.

Foreign citizens and stateless persons can get visas at the diplomatic representations and consular missions of the Republic of Uzbekistan abroad on the basis of the visa support upon confirmation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

1. A bilateral visa-free regime has been established with Kyrgyzstan of up to 60 days, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine.

2. From February 10, 2018, a visa-free regime was introduced for 30 days period for citizens of 7 countries: Japan, Indonesia, Israel, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Turkey.

The visa-free regime applies to citizens of these countries, holders of all categories of passports - diplomatic, service and civil planning to visit the Republic of Uzbekistan for up to 30 days, regardless of the purpose of their trip.

In order to enter the country, a person must have a valid national passport or another substitute document used for travel to foreign countries.

The visa-free regime does not apply to stateless persons permanently residing in the territories of these countries.

Accordingly, the visa-free regime is valid for 30 days from the date of entry into Uzbekistan. Before the end of the 30-day visa-free stay period, a foreign citizen must leave the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Exceeding the 30-day visa-free stay is recognized as violation of the Rules of stay of foreign citizens in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Accordingly, if it is necessary to stay in Uzbekistan for more than 30 days, a foreign citizen must obtain an entry visa to the Republic of Uzbekistan in accordance with the established procedure, corresponding to the purpose of his trip.

3. From February 10, 2018, simplified procedure for issuing tourist visas is introduced for citizens of 39 countries as listed below.

That implies getting visa within two working days, not counting the day of receiving documents, with the cancellation of the requirement to provide a tourist voucher or an inviting legal / physical person in the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Previously, the simplified procedure for issuing visas was available for citizens of Austria, Belgium, Great Britain, Germany, Spain, Italy, Latvia, France, Switzerland, Thailand, Czech Republic and Poland.

Tourists from these countries are given multiple-entry visas for up to 1 month, and representatives of the business community for up to 1 year, without requiring a tour voucher or an invitation from an inviting legal or physical person in Uzbekistan to the Uzbek Foreign Ministry.

Visas are issued within 2 working days, not counting the day of receipt of documents.

4. A visa-free regime is established with China, Hungary and Tajikistan (up to 30 days), Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (up to 60 days), Brazil, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Estonia, Kuwait and Turkey (up to 90 days).

Citizens of these countries who hold diplomatic passports and are accredited as employees of diplomatic missions or consular offices of their countries located on the territory of Uzbekistan, as well as members of their families have the right to enter and stay without visas for the entire period of work.

5. Uzbekistan and Japan issue visas without consular fees on the mutual basis.

6. According to the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No.3836 of July 4, 2018 “On further measures for optimizing the order of entry of foreign citizens into the Republic of Uzbekistan” since July 15, 2018 these regulations are implemented:

- the system of issuing electronic entry tourist visas for foreign citizens, who enjoy a simplified procedure for issuing visa (list of countries is attached);

- short-term transit visa-free entry to the Republic of Uzbekistan for a period not exceeding five days for citizens of a number of countries (list of countries is attached). In this case the foreigners must transit through international airports of the Republic of Uzbekistan, provided they have an air ticket to a third country. This procedure applies transiting passengers wishing to explore the sights of Uzbekistan;

- visa-free entry to the Republic of Uzbekistan for foreign citizens up to 16 year old with biometric travel document. In this case they must be accompanied by legal representatives and they can stay in Uzbekistan for the duration of the visa of the accompanying person, but not more than ninety days since the date of entry into the country.

The list of countries whose citizens can enjoy simplified procedure for issuing tourist visa as well as on “e-visa.gov.uz”

1. Albania
2. Andorra
3. Australia
4. Austria
5. Belgium
6. Bosnia and Herzegovina
7. Bulgaria
8. Canada
9. China
10. Croatia
11. Czech Republic
12. Denmark
13. Estonia
14. Finland
15. France
16. Germany
17. Greece
18. Hungary
19. Iceland
20. India
21. Ireland
22. Italy
23. Kuwait
24. Latvia
25. Liechtenstein
26. Lithuania
27. Luxembourg
28. Macedonia
29. Malta
30. Monaco
31. Montenegro
32. Netherlands
33. New Zealand
34. Norway
35. Oman
36. Poland
37. Portugal
38. Romania
39. San Marino
40. Saudi Arabia
41. Serbia
42. Slovakia
43. Slovenia
44. Spain
45. Sweden
46. Switzerland
47. Thailand
48. United Arab Emirates
49. United Kingdom
50. United States of America
51. Vatican

The list of countries whose citizens can enjoy visa-free transit entry, stay up to 5 days

1. Albania
2. Algeria
3. Andorra
4. Antigua and Barbuda
5. Argentina
6. Australia
7. Austria
8. Bahamas
9. Bahrain
10. Barbados
11. Belgium
12. Belize
13. Bhutan
14. Bosnia and Herzegovina
15. Brazil
16. Brunei Darussalam
17. Bulgaria
18. Canada
19. Chile
20. China
21. Colombia
22. Costa Rica
23. Croatia
24. Cyprus
25. Czech Republic
26. Denmark
27. Dominica
28. Dominican Republic
29. Ecuador
30. Equatorial Guinea
31. Estonia
32. Fiji
33. Finland
34. France
35. Gabon
36. Germany
37. Greece
38. Grenada
39. Guatemala
40. Guyana
41. Honduras
42. Hungary
43. Iceland
44. India
45. Ireland
46. Italy
47. Jamaica
48. Kuwait
49. Latvia
50. Lebanon
51. Liechtenstein
52. Lithuania
53. Luxembourg
54. Macedonia
55. Maldives
56. Malta
57. Mauritius
58. Mexico
59. Monaco
60. Mongolia
61. Montenegro
62. Morocco
63. Nauru
64. Netherlands
65. New Zealand
66. Norway
67. Oman
68. Palau
69. Panama
70. Peru
71. Philippines
72. Poland
73. Portugal
74. Qatar
75. Romania
76. Saint Kitts and Nevis
77. Saint Lucia
78. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
79. San Marino
80. Saudi Arabia
81. Serbia
82. Seychelles
83. Slovakia
84. Slovenia
85. South Africa
86. Spain
87. Sri Lanka
88. Suriname
89. Sweden
90. Switzerland
91. Thailand
92. Trinidad and Tobago
93. Tunisia
94. Turkmenistan
95. United Arab Emirates
96. United Kingdom
97. United States of America
98. Uruguay
99. Vatican
100. Venezuela
101. Vietnam

The nationals of those countries which are not mentioned above should have a visa support - letter of invitation to obtain tourist visa to Uzbekistan.

Letter of invitation will be issued on the basis of visa application form and other documents submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan by our company on the behalf of the tourist.

The legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan has set the following consular fees for the visa issuance:

a) For single entry visas:

· up to 7 days — $40;
· up to 15 days — $50;
· up to 30 days — $60;
· up to 3 months — $80;
· up to 6 months — $120;
· up to 1 year — $160.

Note: For each additional entry the fee shall be increased by $10.

b) For multiple entry visas:

· up to 6 months — $150;
· up to 1 year — $250.

c) For transit visas:

· up to 72 hours — $40;
· double entry transit visa — $50.

d) For group visas (groups must consist of more than 5 persons excluding children under 16 years old):

· up to 15 days — $15 per person;
· up to 30 days — $25 per person.

Except these fees the fees for reimbursement of actual expenses related to the visa issuance (administrative fees) will also be paid. The rates of these fees depend on the place of visa issuance (irrespective of applicant’s citizenship).

Note: Different procedure for issuance of entry visas may be applied to the citizens of those countries that have appropriate bilateral agreements with Uzbekistan.

Letter of Invitation to Uzbekistan (LOI)

To get a Letter of Invitation to Uzbekistan (LOI), please do the following:

- Fill out Uzbekistan Visa Support / Letter of Invitation (LOI) Form: Download Form

- Email us a good quality scan of your passport

- Email us a scan of an employment letter (retirees and housewives don't need it)

Flight tickets itinerary or flight reservation form is required only if visa is to be obtained on arrival at the International Airports of Uzbekistan.

Once we have received all above required documents and payment, we will submit your documents for approval by the Uzbek authorities. The approval period is about 3-5 working days.

Many travel agents "make" tourists to buy a tour package with a fixed itinerary. Our company doesn't "make" you do that.

Once your application is approved we will send you Visa Application Form and Letter of Invitation (LOI). As soon as you receive the papers you can apply for your Uzbek visa at the requested Embassy.

Why do 84% of tourists choose us?
Check mark Letter of invitation (LOI) without any extra services
Check mark The 2019 year's best price for Letter of invitation (LOI)
Check mark Reputation. We’re reliable, well known and people recommend us
Check mark 24 hour customer service
Check mark Instant answers to your questions
Check mark Big and professional team
Check mark Payment on arrival
Check mark Providing free local SIM card
Check mark Providing free transfers

Cities and countries where an Uzbek visa can be obtained:
Abu Dhabi - The United Arab Emirates
Almaty - Kazakhstan
Ankara - Turkey
Ashkhabad - Turkmenistan
Athens - Greece
Baku - Azerbaijan
Bangkok - Thailand
Beijing - China
Berlin - Germany
Bishkek - Kyrgyzstan
Brussels - Belgium
Bukhara - Uzbekistan
Cairo - Egypt
Dubai - The United Arab Emirates
Dushanbe - Tajikistan
Frankfurt am Main - Germany
Islamabad - Pakistan
Istanbul - Turkey
Jakarta - Indonesia
Jeddah - Saudi Arabia
Kabul - Afghanistan
Kiev - Ukraine
Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia
Kuwait - Kuwait
London - The United Kingdom
Madrid - Spain
Mazare-Sharif - Afghanistan
Moscow - Russia
New Delhi - India
New York - The United States
Novosibirsk - Russia
Nukus - Uzbekistan
Paris - France
Riga - Latvia
Riyadh - Saudi Arabia
Rome - Italy
Samarkand - Uzbekistan
Seoul - South Korea
Shanghai - China
Singapore - Singapore
Tashkent Airport - Uzbekistan
Tashkent MFA - Uzbekistan
Tehran - Iran
Tel Aviv - Israel
Termez - Uzbekistan
Tokyo - Japan
Urgench - Uzbekistan
Vienna - Austria
Warsaw - Poland
Washington - The United States

- Children under 12 – half price.

- 10$ for each additional entry, double or triple entry visa.

- 100$ for visa extension up to 7 days - EXIT VISA.


Tourism Observer

ANGOLA: Luanda Is World’s Most Expensive City

The Angolan capital Luanda has knocked Hong Kong off the top spot in an annual survey by Mercer Consulting that ranks the cost of living for expatriate workers in world cities.

The survey found the cost of renting a two-bedroom apartment suitable for expatriates in Luanda was £4,800 ($6,055) per month, while a fast food hamburger meal priced at £11.50.

It was the second time in three years that Luanda topped the survey, which compares the costs of housing, transport and clothing in 209 cities.

While Luanda rose, all UK cities fell significantly in this year’s rankings which were released on Wednesday, with 30th-ranked London dropping 13 places from 2016.

The survey suggested that the country’s vote to leave the European Union had played a role in the drop by causing the value of sterling to fall.

Mercer found that a number of African cities continue to rank high in this year’s survey, reflecting high living costs and prices of goods for experts.

Luanda is followed by Victoria in the Seychelles (14th), N’Djamena in Chad (16th), and Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (18th).

Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria, is ranked 29th and not among the top five African cities that are very expensive.

The Angolan capital Luanda has knocked Hong Kong off the top spot in an annual survey by Mercer Consulting that ranks the cost of living for expatriate workers in world cities.

The survey found the cost of renting a two-bedroom apartment suitable for expatriates in Luanda was £4,800 ($6,055) per month, while a fast food hamburger meal priced at £11.50.

It was the second time in three years that Luanda topped the survey, which compares the costs of housing, transport and clothing in 209 cities.

While Luanda rose, all UK cities fell significantly in this year’s rankings which were released on Wednesday, with 30th-ranked London dropping 13 places from 2016.

The survey suggested that the country’s vote to leave the European Union had played a role in the drop by causing the value of sterling to fall.

Mercer found that a number of African cities continue to rank high in this year’s survey, reflecting high living costs and prices of goods for experts.

Luanda is followed by Victoria in the Seychelles (14th), N’Djamena in Chad (16th), and Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (18th).

Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria, is ranked 29th and not among the top five African cities that are very expensive.

World’s 10 most expensive cities

1. Luanda, Angola

2. Hong Kong, Hong Kong

3. Tokyo, Japan

4. Zurich, Switzerland

5. Singapore, Singapore

6. Seoul, South Korea

7. Geneva, Switzerland

8. Shanghai, China

9. New York City, US

10. Bern, Switzerland

World’s 10 least expensive cities

200. Minsk, Belarus

201. Karachi, Pakistan

202. Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

203. Monterrey, Mexico

204. Tbilisi, Georgia

205. Blantyre, Malawi

206. Windhoek, Namibia

206. Skopje, Macedonia

208. Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

209. Tunis, Tunisia



Tourism Observer

IRAQ: Iraqi Airways Starts Flights To Moscow

Iraq’s national carrier Iraqi Airways performed its first flight to Russia after a protracted break on September 17.

A Boeing 737-800, registration code YI-ASV, arrived at Vnukovo airport from Baghdad to airport.

Iraqi Airways received the factory-new airliner earlier this year.

The carrier stopped operating to Moscow 13 years ago, after Russia had imposed a ban on air services between the two countries in 2004 citing security reasons.

The parties began negotiating possible resumption of services back in 2015.

Prior to resuming flights to Moscow, Iraqi Airways launched services to former Soviet republics: first to Baku, Azerbaijan in 2016, and then to Minsk, Belarus this year.

The airline will fly its 737-800s of which it has 14 to Vnukovo from Baghdad and Basra.

The operator’s total fleet comprises 32 aircraft, with an average age of seven years.

Apart from the 737-800s, it also has 737-700s, Boeing 747/767/777s, Airbus A320/321/330s, and Bombardier CRJ900s.




Tourism Observer

ROMANIA: About Romania

To mark Romania's independence day, here are a few quirky facts about the country.

1. It’s home to the world’s heaviest building

Bucharest’s vast Palace of the Parliament, begun during the final years of Nicolae Ceaușescu’s rule and not finished until 1997 (seven years after his death), is 240 metres long, 270 metres wide, 86 metres high (12 storeys), and cost a staggering €3 billion (£2.5bn) to build.

The other numbers are remarkable. As many as 100,000 people worked on the site, hundreds of whom are thought to have perished. It has 1,100 rooms (the vast majority of which lie empty) and an annual heating bill of $6m (£4.63m), equivalent to that of a small city. There are eight underground levels, as well as a nuclear bunker linked to other government buildings by 20km of tunnels.

It all adds up to an area 365,000 square metres, second only to The Pentagon as far as administrative buildings are concerned, and it has a volume of 2.55 million square metres, a shade more than the Great Pyramid of Giza.

Inside you’ll find 3,500 tonnes of crystal, 480 chandeliers and 1,409 ceiling lights, while 700,000 tonnes of steel and bronze was used for monumental doors and windows. Guinness World Records recognises it as the heaviest building on the planet.

2. And the world’s most beautiful road

In his search for the “world’s best driving road” Jeremy Clarkson declared that he had found it in the middle of Romania – in the form of the Transfagarasan highway. Whichever way you look at it, it is an extraordinary feat of engineering: a stretch of tarmac packed with tunnels, viaducts and bridges and which takes the skill of navigating hairpin bends to new heights.

The road was another Ceaușescu creation. He wanted to ensure that in the event of a Soviet invasion there was a speedy way of escaping through the strategic (and scenic) mountain passes of the Southern Carpathians (not that it was ever used for that purpose).

3. They love a drink

Romania is the fifth booziest country in the world, behind four more Eastern European states: Belarus, Russia, Moldova and Lithuania. The average Romanian consumes 14.4 litres of pure alcohol each year, compared to 11.6 litres in Britain.

The country places 16th when it comes to wine consumption,not a surprise given that it’s one of the largest wine producers in the world and 10th for beer .

4. Visitors might spot Europe’s largest mammal

Tipping the scales at 1,400lbs, the European bison was nearly hunted to extinction, but in recent years has been reintroduced to several Eastern European countries, including Romania.

“We encountered a herd in a forest clearing near the village of Armenis, in the Tarcu range of the Carpathian Mountains,” wrote Mark Stratton for Telegraph Travel back in 2014 . “Staring towards us in docile fashion, tails metronomically swishing at flies, they were protectively encircling a newborn calf.

Beneath tassels of shaggy fur their powerful, beefy shoulders and bulbous humps elevated them from family saloon cow to V8 turbocharged bovine.”

The country also has Europe’s largest population of brown bears.

5. It’s the real home of Borat

In Sacha Baron Cohen’s film, scenes purporting to show Borat’s Kazakh hometown were shot in the village of Glod, Romania, while its Roma residents were cast as extras. Those same extras later took unsuccessful legal action claiming they were unaware of the film’s subject matter.

Other films shot in Romania include Cold Mountain and, er, Anaconda III starring David Hasselhoff.

6. Bucharest has one of the world’s prettiest bookshops

Cărturești Carusel opened in 2015 in a restored 19th century building. It contains more than 10,000 books, 5,000 albums and DVDs and a top floor bistro.

7. Its 4G network is the envy of the world

Romania is one of the best places in the world for 4G speed, occupying an impressive fourth place out of 78 nations, according to OpenSignal. Users in the country can expect speed of 35.61 Mbps, on average, compared to just 21.16Mbps in the UK.

8. The rail network is also impressive

Romania's 22,298km network is the 15th most extensive on Earth, even though it is only the world's 81st largest country in terms of total area.

9. There’s a dead ringer for the Arc de Triomphe

Who needs Paris? Bucharest has got its own.

10. And an answer to Mount Rushmore

This sculpture, on a rocky outcrop at the river Danube’s Iron Gates gorge, was made between 1994 and 2004 and depicts Decebalus, the last king of Dacia, who fought against the Roman Empire.

12. It also ripped off the Hollywood sign

Brasov and Rasnov have LA quaking in its boots.

13. It’s the surprising birthplace of good coffee

Francesco Illy, the founder of the Italian coffee roasting company, was actually born in Timișoara, Romania. He later moved to Vienna, and then the Italian city of Trieste. He didn’t make a 2006 list of the 100 Greatest Romanians, however, which was topped by Stephen the Great and featured the likes of Nadia Comăneci and Gheorghe Hagi.

14. They made the world’s largest flag

A five-ton flag that measured 349 metres by 227 metres, and used 44 miles of thread, was unfurled in Romania in 2013. Well, why not?

15. And can boast a few other quirky records

Romania was also responsible for the world’s longest sausage. How long? You wouldn’t believe us if we said 39 miles – but it’s true . It will take a determined butcher to break that record.

Guinness World Records also recognises the Chestnut Festival in Baia Mare, Romania, for creating the largest bowl of goulash (7,200 litres), and Romanian firm ING Asigurari de Viata for printing the world’s largest legal document (nine metres x six metres).

Best countries

16. They’ve invented plenty

And not just long sausages. Nicolae Paulescu discovered insulin (though two Canadian scientists were awarded the Nobel Prize in 1923 for their studies on the hormone), Henri Coandă has been credited with inventing the modern jet engine, and Petrache Poenaru created the fountain pen.

The country has four Nobel prize laureates : George Emil Palade (medicine), Elie Wiesel (peace), Herta Müller (literature) and Stefan Hell (chemistry).

17. Its churches are spectacular

Romania has seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the eight churches of northern Moldavia, covered in wonderful frescos (the Voroneț Monastery has been dubbed Romania’s Sistine Chapel), and the wooden churches of Maramureş, of which there is also eight, including Sapanta Peri, which claims to be the tallest wooden church in the world.

18. And there’s one very strange cemetery

The Merry Cemetery in Sapanța eschews sombre memorials in favour of colourful tombstones.

BELARUS: Belavia Acquires New Boeing 737-800

Belarusian flag carrier Belavia has finalized the acceptance of new narrow-body Boeing 737-800s under a contract inked in 2014. The airplane with the tail number EW-457PA turned out to be the last one in the batch of three aircraft, the airline reported on its Facebook page.

The newly arrived airliner received a revamped livery just like the two previous aircraft delivered in August and September.

The new look of the airplanes is the part of the airline’s branding project.

Belavia’s acquisition of all three aircraft is brokered by the Bank of Development of the Republic of Belarus.

The carrier underlines that the new airliners will allow it to reduce operational costs and, thus, bring down ticket prices.

The Boeings will replace company’s Soviet-era Tupolev Tu-154Ms.

Therefore, Belavia sticks to its previously announced plans of switching to Western-made aircraft operations only.

Belavia arrives in Zhukovsky.

Belavia launched daily flights between Minsk and Moscow's Zhukovsky in September 2016.

Belarusian flag carrier Belavia has launched a daily Moscow service from Minsk to Zhukovsky (IATA code ZIA) in September, with evening flights departing both capitals on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, and morning flights on the other days.

"This odd-even timetable is deliberate," reveals Ihar Charhinets, the airline’s deputy general director for marketing. "As we develop the route we are planning to add three more morning flights and four evening flights per week to eventually operate twice-daily services each way; this winter's timetable will include an additional Friday evening flight.

“We are gauging the route's popularity with 76-seat Embraer E175s, with a view to increasing capacity as required. Several flights have already been performed with 148-seat Boeing 737-300s.

On certain days of the week we will be flying bigger Boeings instead of the Embraers," he adds.

The inauguration of the Minsk-Zhukovsky service may have strategic significance for Belavia.

Belarus and Russia enjoy a fairly liberal intergovernmental agreement on bilateral air services: there are no restrictions on the number of designated carriers, destinations served, capacities, or frequencies.

The only exception is the Minsk-Moscow route, on which either side has the right to operate seven flights per week, a concession currently being used to the full by both sides.

Belavia, which already operates to Moscow’s Domodedovo (DME), is the designated Belarusian carrier for the city pair, with Aeroflot and Utair the Russian operators, and even though it is located just outside of Moscow (some 43 km from the city centre), Zhukovsky is not formally regarded as a Moscow airport.

This affords Belavia access without any restrictions.

Although the new Moscow airport remains underserved by public transport, the regional administration promises this situation will improve as passenger numbers grow over time the Zhukovsky management plans to serve 350,000 to 400,000 passengers this year and up to two million in 2017.

For Belavia, adding the Zhukovsky service to its existing Domodedovo portfolio is of strategic importance especially with regard to developing its transit traffic through Minsk.

"The Zhukovsky flight connects passengers to virtually all our European services," Charhinets notes. "We make a point of developing transfer services. The population of Belarus stands at just 9.5 million, which is less than the population of Moscow, not to mention the entire Moscow region.

The demand for point-to-point out of Minsk is there, but it is limited. Our strategy, therefore, is to go with the transfer business model; at present, more than 30 per cent of our passengers take connecting flights."

The current economic situation in Belarus has been stifling demand for direct flights. More than 50 per cent of the Belarusian economy is linked to Russia, so we are affected by the same economic processes," Charhinets explains.

The population's purchasing power in dollar equivalent has shrunk and our costs, just like those incurred by all the other carriers, are denominated in dollars.

But we cannot adjust our fares directly by tying them to the euro exchange of the day, because this way we will not be able to sell any tickets. We have to look for alternative solutions."

Belavia has been lucky in a way: because of the soured relations between Russia and Ukraine, bilateral air services between the two stopped on October 25, 2015, thereby prompting a significant number of passengers to fly via Minsk instead.

As a result, from spring 2016, Kyiv-Minsk has been the busiest route linking Ukraine and Belarus. Furthermore, an intergovernmental agreement liberalising air services between Belarus and Ukraine has enabled Belavia to increase its frequencies between Minsk and Kyiv from two to five a day, and inaugurate services from Minsk to Odesa, Kharkiv and Lviv.

Charhinets dismisses the luck factor though. We first introduced our transfer business model five years ago and we have been working actively to evolve it.

It was because of this that we managed to get a portion of the Kyiv -Moscow passengers.

We have plenty of rivals, so it is not about us having been lucky, rather about us being best positioned to operate in this manner.

Charhinets reveals that Belavia, which does not enjoy a monopoly position on any single market, has done a lot to promote and modernise its products in a variety of countries.

Amongst other developments, the Belarus airline has introduced new information technologies, joined IATA's Billing and Settlement Plan system, made sure its layover times are minimal, and introduced through fares for transit passengers.

For example, there are a multitude of possible connection flights from Paris to Moscow, not to mention direct services,he says.

However, we carry some passengers traveling from Paris on virtually every flight to Moscow. We certainly need to keep working, but we are moving in the right direction.

An additional boost to the airline's transfer business model may come in the form of a simplification of transfer rules for foreign passengers transitting Belarus, but no relevant government decision has yet been made.

There is also potential for further growth in connecting Russian regional centres to European destinations via Minsk.

Belavia's convenient geographic location makes it possible for the airline to do what Kaliningrad-based KD Avia attempted in 2007: offer Russian regional passengers transfer flights to Europe bypassing Moscow.

A combination of factors forced KD Avia to cease operations in 2009, and this business model has not been tried by anyone since.

Apart from Moscow, Belavia currently serves Russia's St Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Sochi, and Krasnodar, and formerly served Samara, Yekaterinburg, and Novosibirsk.

Restraining further development of regional Russian operations though are the high service charges Belavia is forced to pay in Russia. Charhinets reveals that the Belarus carrier is charged five times more than Russian airlines for air navigation services.

Airport handling fees are also higher, although not drastically as steep.

This price difference persists despite both countries being part of the common union state and the Eurasian Economic Union – and renders Belavia's fares so uncompetitive that it is currently cheaper to fly with a Russian carrier from a regional airport to Minsk via Moscow.

There is a possibility that this price disparity will be eliminated by late 2016: a preliminary agreement to that effect was signed more than two years ago between Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, but there has been no further progress, says Charhinets.

Meanwhile, a further increase in Belavia's passenger numbers may result from the company's substantial rebranding effort from mid-August of this year.

Apart from introducing an all-new livery for its airliners, the carrier overhauled the corporate style of its offices, launched new crew uniforms, refurbished its website and re-conceptualised its advertising campaign.

The management insists that with the new image Belavia will not only distance itself from its Soviet legacy but will also mark the airline's transition from a full-service business model to a hybrid concept incorporating low-cost elements. "We are not planning to turn into an low-cost carrier completely, but we are studying and introducing certain approaches along these lines," Charhinets reveals. "Last year we managed to bring our fares down by 20 per cent; this year, we aim to achieve a further 10 per cent reduction."

DoubleTree by Hilton Announces Opening Of DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Minsk

DoubleTree by Hilton today announced the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Minsk within the Galleria Minsk, a premier shopping and entertainment complex located in the heart of the city. This new upper upscale, contemporary hotel features 193 guest rooms and suítes and marks the brand’s debut in Belarus.

Minsk has transformed from a destination reliant on heavy industry to a bustling city, offering visitors a variety of cultural attractions, including the National Academic Grand Opera and Ballet Theatre, Belarusian National History and Culture Museum, as well as several cathedrals and churches. The city is fast establishing itself as a centre for sports events too, by hosting the Ice Hockey World Championships in 2014 and the upcoming 2019 European Games. The nearby Old Town is home to iconic, modern buildings such as the ‘Diamond’ National Library.

“We are delighted to open DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Minsk. Minsk is a cosmopolitan, modern city where visitors can enjoy a range of activities – including exploring the architecture in the city’s Old Town, watching a performance at one of the numerous theatres or relaxing in the botanic garden,” said Dianna Vaughan, senior vice president and global head, DoubleTree by Hilton. “We look forward to welcoming travellers to Belarus with the brand’s unique, caring style of hospitality, beginning with a warm DoubleTree Cookie greeting at check-in.”

Stunning panoramic views of the river and city can be enjoyed at BarDotXX1, located on the 21st floor of the hotel. Elegant and sleek, the bar serves cocktails, international wines, champagnes, spirits and a range of Thai and Singaporean dishes. Ember restaurant and bar is centred around stone ovens, creating an intimate, relaxed atmosphere where guests can sample traditional Belarusian food as well as European cuisine. In addition, guests can eat in or ‘grab and go’ at the Beans & Leaves Lobby Cafe, which offers hot beverages and snacks.

Ideal for events and social gatherings, the hotel’s Ballroom Grand Galleria can accommodate up to 300 people. There are also three meeting rooms, a modern business centre and a 24-hour, fully-equipped gym.

“With its one-of-a-kind views of the city, prime location in the Galleria Minsk and exciting dining options, we are confident DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Minsk will become the preferred choice for travellers to Belarus,” said Svetlana Burova, general manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Minsk.

The hotel provides guests with a full complement of services and DoubleTree by Hilton brand amenities, including the Wake Up DoubleTree Breakfast, an assortment of gourmet in-room tea and coffee and a refreshing array of the Aroma Actives Essentials natural skin and body care line.

As part of the Hilton portfolio of brands, guests of DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Minsk are also encouraged to participate in Hilton HHonors, Hilton’s free-to-join loyalty program. Hilton HHonors members who book directly with Hilton save time and money and gain instant access to the benefits they care about most, including:

- An exclusive member discount at more than 4,500 hotels worldwide

- Instant benefits, such as free Wi-Fi, the ability to earn and redeem Points for free nights as well as access to digital check-in with room selection

- Unforgettable, exclusive experiences, available via Points at HHonors.com/auctions, such as access to private concerts or sought-after events.

DoubleTree by Hilton Minsk is located at 9 Pobediteley Avenue, Minsk, 220004, Belarus, which is within walking distance of the metro station and just 3.5 kilometres from Minsk Central Railway Station. The hotel is also 45 kilometres from Minsk International Airport.

Kyrgyzstan To Host 2nd World Nomad Games

The dates of the Second World Nomad games have been set, reports the official website of the games worldnomadgames.com. The unique event will be held this autumn, from September 3 to 8 in the Issyk-Kul region.

Currently Issyk-Kul gets ready for the games; the roads and hippodrome are being reconstructed. At the Second World Nomads Games the audience will enjoy such national games as Salburun (hunting with eagles), kok boru (equestrian games), ordo (dice), the alysh fight, toguztorgool (strategy game).

In total, 26 types of the national sports and the same quantity of teams from different countries, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Russia, are expected at the event. The games will be traditionally accompanied by a variety of ethnic and cultural activities.

IATA Happy With Fewer Plane Accidents

Last year, more than 3.5 billion people flew safely on 37.6 million flights worldwide, of which 31.4 million flew by jet and 6.2 million by turboprop.

The airline industry registered a total of 136 fatalities in 2015, versus 641 fatalities in 2014. The five-year average came up to 504 killed. Including those who lost their lives in Germanwings 9525 and Metrojet 9268, last year averaged 510 fatalities.

Overall, the airline industry registered one major accident for every 3.1 million flights worldwide in 2015 – a hull loss of 0.32 per cent per million flights – not as good as the 2014 rate of 0.27 but a 30% improvement compared to the previous five-year (2010-2014) rate of 0.46 hull loss accidents per million jet flights.

This was the data which the International Air Transport Association (IATA) released yesterday on the safety performance of the commercial airline industry last year.

“In terms of the number of fatal accidents, 2015 was an extraordinarily safe year,” remarked, IATA’s Director General and CEO Tony Tyler.

Last year, four accidents resulted in passenger fatalities, all of which involved turboprop aircraft, with 136 killed. This compares with an average of 17.6 fatal accidents and 504 fatalities per year in the previous five-year period (2010-2014).

The 2015 jet hull loss rate for members of IATA was 0.22, or one accident for every 4.5 million flights, which outperformed the global rate by 31% and which was in line with the five-year rate (2010-2014) of 0.21 per million flights but above the 0.12 hull loss rate achieved in 2014.

The loss of Germanwings 9525 due to pilot suicide and Metrojet 9268 due to suspected terrorism resulted in the deaths of 374 passengers and crew. However, they were not included in the accident statistics as they are classified as deliberate acts of unlawful interference.

Accidents are gathered using multiple sources and validated and classified by the Accident Classification Task Force (ACTF). The task force is comprised of industry safety experts and managed by IATA.

All regions, except North America, saw their safety performance improve in 2015 compared to the respective five-year rate 2010-2014. Africa registered 3.49 jet hull loss compared to a five-year rate of 3.69.

Asia Pacific recorded a 0.21 jet hull loss from 0.56 in the comparative period, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) composed of ten former Soviet Republics–Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, registered 1.88 compared to 3.14 before; Europe, 0.15 versus 0.18; Latin America and the Caribbean, 0.39 compared to 0.92; Middle East-North Africa, zero versus 1.00; North America, 0.32 compared to 0.13 and North Asia, 0.00 compared to a 0.06

UZBEKISTAN: Uzbekistan Airways Increases Number Of International Flights

National Air company “Uzbekistan Airways” introduced additional flights in directions Tashkent – New-York-Tashkent and Tashkent-Kaliningrad-Tashkent.

Uzbekistan Airways airplanes fly to Kaliningrad not only on Sundays, but also on Wednesdays. Departure time from Uzbek capital is at 09:45, arrival in Kaliningrad at 12:20.

Return flight is at 14.10 with arrival in Tashkent at 22:45.

Additional regular flight have been launched in direction of Tashkent-New-York-Tashkent, which operate on Thursdays.

Thus, round way flights from Tashkent to New-York is twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays. Departure time from Tashkent is 04.40 with arrival in New-York at 12:30.

Return flight is at 15:00 and arrives in Tashkent at 15:05-16:05.

Besides, a new regular flight Tashkent-Minsk-Tashkent was launched by the air company.

Flights to the Republic of Belarus will be operated on a new air-bus A320 twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

UZBEKISTAN: Tashkent And Minsk Connect With Uzbekistan Airways

On 2 July 2015 the National Air company “Uzbekistan Airways” started operating regular flights to the capital of Belarus – Minsk.

Flights HY709/710 in route Tashkent – Minsk-Tashkent will be operated twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

On Tuesdays the flight from Tashkent will be at 18.50, arrival in Minsk at 22.05. Departure from Minsk is at 23.35, with arrival in Tashkent at 06.25 on Wednesday.

On Thursdays departure from Tashkent is at 07.00, with arrival in Minsk at 10.15. Departure from Minsk is at 11.45, arrival in Tashkent- at 18.30.

BELARUS: Belavia has opened a flight to international airport “Kiev”

From October 12, 2005 airline “Belavia – Belarusian Airlines” increased the number of flights on the route Minsk – Kiev – Minsk. Prior to that, planes of airline “Belavia – Belarusian Airlines” on the route Minsk – Kiev – Minsk had been flying twice a day at “Borispol” airport.

belaviaThe new route will be carried to International airport “Kiev” (Zhulyany). In such a way, passengers will have the opportunity to choose the more convenient time and airport to travel Kiev. The flights will be performed on a daily basis with departure from Minsk at 23.05, from Kiev (Zhulyany) – at 05.15 of local time. Travel time is about 1 hour.

As explained Anatoliy Gusarov, general director of OJSC “Belavia – Belarusian Airlines” the early flight from Kiev and arrival to Minsk will give the passengers, especially to business people, the opportunity to plan their time in Belarus rational: to accomplish all their works and to return home. For another thing, the flight schedule of airline “Belavia – Belarusian Airlines” will give to connecting passengers the opportunity to continue their travel practically along the whole flight network of the airline.

BELARUS: Visa Regime Between Belarus And Pakistan, What Happened?

The meeting and negotiations between the prime ministers of Belarus and Pakistan did not come out with any announcements about a soft visa regime of tangible steps for direct air connection between the two countries.

Although Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Belarusian Prime Minister Andrey Kobyakov decided to boost bilateral trade to $1 billion and signed 18 agreements, they did not explain how this trade could be possible without land or air - direct or even indirect - connections between the two countries.

According to Dispatch News Desk (DND) news agency, in a joint press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday after one-on-one talks, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, and his Belarusian counterpart, Andrey Kobyakov, said that they had a very productive round of talks that reviewed progress and agreed on concrete steps to further enhance their bilateral cooperation.

They announced an agreement for developing a roadmap for economic cooperation between Pakistan and Belarus, but documents signed by them did not explain this road map, because all documents are almost a form of MOUs without giving details, budget, or nature of resources that would be given by both countries to contacts in the future. They also expressed the resolve to increase their bilateral trade up to $1 billion with a focus on industrial cooperation, agriculture, and infrastructure development. This indicates that Belarus will be provided land and opportunities for constructing heavy mechanical industries in Pakistan, but again no contract was signed to provide special incentives or lands to Belarus by Pakistan.

Both prime ministers agreed on strengthening ties at the governmental and people-to-people levels for the mutual benefit of their countries. However, no announcement was made about a soft visa regime for people-to-people contact. Right now, Belarus did not provide a tourist visa to Pakistanis, and its visa regime is very difficult about Pakistanis.

The two countries inked seven Agreements, six Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and three Protocols to Agreements, in addition to the two Programs on Roadmaps during the visit of Belarusian Prime Minister Andrey Kobyakov to Islamabad. To understand the nature of the contracts, one can read details of them here.

AGREEMENTS

The two Prime Ministers also signed an Agreement between their governments on mutual allotment of the land of plots for their respective diplomatic missions in Islamabad and Minsk.

The inter-governmental Agreement on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters was signed by Advisor to the PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Belarus Valentin Rybakov.

The Agreement between the Health Ministries of Pakistan and Belarus on cooperation in public health was signed by State Minister for National Health Services Saira Afzal Tarar and Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Belarus Valentin Rybakov.

The Agreement on cooperation between the government of Punjab and the Minsk Region Executive Committee of Belarus was signed by Chief Secretary Punjab Khizar Hayat Gondal and Deputy Chairman of Minsk Regional Executive Committee Mr. O.Plavski.

The Agreement on cooperation between the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the Brest Branch of Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) was inked by President KCCI Younis Muhammad Bashir and Chairman BCCI Mr. M.Miatlikov.

The Agreement on cooperation between the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and the Mogilev Branch of Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) was inked by President Lahore CCI Sheikh Muhammad Arshad and Chairman BCCI Mr. M.Miatlikov.

The Agreement between the City District Government, Lahore, Punjab, and the Mogilev Regional Executive Committee (MREC) on the establishment and development of commerce-economic, scientific-technical, and cultural ties was signed by Chief Secretary Punjab Khizar Hayat Gondal and Deputy Chairman MREC Mr V.Nekrashevich.

PROTOCOLS

The Protocol to the Agreement on mutual cooperation between the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (Pakistan) and Ministry of Education (Belarus) in the field of education was signed by State Minister for Education Balighur Rehman and Education Minister of Belarus Mr. Zhuravkov.

The Cooperation Protocol between the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad, and the Belarusian State University, Minsk, was signed by Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi and Education Minister of Belarus Mr. Zhuravkov.

The Protocol on cooperation between the government of Balochistan and the Brest Regional Executive Committee, Belarus, was inked by Chief Secretary Balochistan Saifullah Chattha and Deputy Chairman of Brest Regional Executive Committee Mr. A.Klets.

MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING (MOUs)

Two MOUs were signed between the Ministry for National Food Security and Research, Pakistan, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Belarus, on cooperation in the veterinary and sanitary fields and also in the field of plant quarantine and application of phyto-sanitary measures. The respective Ministers Sikandar Hayat Bosan and Mr. Zayats signed the documents.

The MOU on cooperation between the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Vitebsk Region, Belarus, was signed by Chief Secretary KPK Amjad Ali Khan and Chairman of Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Mr. N.Shertnev.

The government of Sindh signed two MOUs on trade-economic, scientific-technical, and cultural-humanitarian collaboration with Gomel Regional Executive Committee, Belarus, and the Regional Executive Committee of Grodno, Belarus. The respective documents were signed by Chief Secretary, Sindh Siddique Memon, Deputy Chairman of Gomel Regional Executive Committee Mr. A.Pirshtouk, and Deputy Chairman of Grodno Regional Executive Committee Mr. Y.Shuleiko.

The MOU between Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and Minsk Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) was inked by President ICCI Atif Ikram Sheikh and Chairman MCCI Mr. M. Miatlikov.