New airline between Turkmenistan and China

The first flight line between the city of Xi’an, in northwestern China, and Ashgabat, Turkmenistan’s capital, was officially opened.

This line, along with a similar route between Xi’an and Tajik capital Dushanbe, will be launched on May 18.

For the Xi ‘an-Urumqi-Ashgabat line, the flight (CZ 5085) from Xi’ an city will depart at 17:30 Beijing time (09:30 GMT) every Saturday and arrive at Ashgabat at 23:10 local time (18:10 GMT). On return, the flight (CZ 5086) departs from Ashgabat at 00:40 local time (19:40 GMT) the following day and arrives in Xi’an at 12:30 Beijing time (04:30 GMT).

The Xi ‘an-Urumqi-Dushanbe line will be operational every Thursday starting May 18 with flight number (CZ 5083/4). Flights from Xi’an will depart at 19:05 Beijing time (11:05 GMT) every Thursday and arrive in Dushanbe at 00:55 local time the following day (19:55 GMT). The return flight will depart from Dushanbe at 01:35 local time (20:35 GMT) the following day and arrive in Xi’an at 12:30 Beijing time (04:30 GMT).

Li Jiu Chiwan, deputy general manager of China Southern Airlines Xi’an, said the majority of passengers on this line are expected to be businessmen.