DUSHANBE, June 30, 2010, Asia-Plus -- Tajikistan’s national air carrier, Tajik Air, is launching air routes to Saudi Arabia, Asia-Plus has learned from Ms. Lola Kenjayeva, a spokeswoman for Tajik Air.

According to her, Tajik Air has got permit to operate regular flights to Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam.  “The permit to operate regular flights to these cities was got during a visit of representatives from Tajik Air and the Main Civil Aviation Directorate within the Ministry of Transport and Communications to Saudi Arabia,” said Kenjayeva, “Tajik delegation discussed issues related to getting permit for operating flights to Saudi Arabia in the framework of the program, Hajj-2010.”

She also reminded that in March 2009, Saudi Arabia banned fights operated by planes with Tajikistan’s registration for some obscure reasons.

“As a result of the negotiations, the ban was lifted and a government-to-government agreement on aerial communication and a memorandum of understanding between Tajikistan and Saudi Arabia were initialed,” said the spokeswoman, “Under the preliminary agreements Tajik Air has got the right to operate flights on Western type aircraft from any airport of Tajikistan (Dushanbe, Khujand, Kulob, and Qurghon Teppa) to Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dammam.”  Saudi Arabia reserved the right to operate flights to Dushanbe and Khujand, she added.