DUSHANBE, October 2, 2014, Asia-Plus -- After being closed for two years, the air route from the Tajik northern city of Khujand to the Russian city of Barnaul was reopened on October 2.

Asian Express Airlines operates this flight once a fortnight on Thursdays.  The air carrier uses Boeing 737-300 to operate this flight, Dushanbe International Airport’s website reports.

Asian Express Airlines was registered in Tajikistan in early 2013 when it then received a license for flight operations. However, until now, the airline has not operated its flights under its own brand but it gave its aircraft in leasing to Tajik domestic airlines.

Asian Express Airlines is a part of the Contact Groups Holding of Tajikistan JSC, which also includes a Contact Investment Bank and the central bus station in Dushanbe called Asian Express Terminal.

The Asian Express Airlines acquired medium-liners, such as BAe Avro RJ85 and RJ-100 and Airbus A-320 for long-haul flights to Russia, Europe and the UAE.

At present, two private air companies, Somon Air and East Air, are registered in Tajikistan and they are operated and run by foreign nationals. There is one national airline, Tajik Air. 

In addition, airlines registered in other countries also operate their flights to Tajikistan, as they are engaged in air passenger transportations on a parity basis.

Tajikistan has also three companies registered, as air cargo, Khatlon Air, Asia Express and Par Air.