On July 14, Turkmenistan Airlines launched direct flights to South Korea, the world’s 14th-largest economy. However, the strict visa regime between the countries remains a major obstacle. Experts believe that lifting visa requirements for South Korea, UAE, Malaysia, China, Vietnam, Japan, and Singapore - countries already connected by air routes - could bring Turkmenistan millions of dollars annually through tourism and transit, Turkmen.news reports.
Limited Transit Hub Potential
Ashgabat’s airport connects cities like London, Frankfurt, Milan, Dubai, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing, and Ho Chi Minh City. With its strategic location, Turkmenistan could become a cost-effective hub, but poor flight connections and tough visa policies make this unlikely.
For example, flights from Seoul land on Tuesday nights, but passengers cannot fly onward to European destinations like Frankfurt or Milan the same day - only to Istanbul or Southeast Asia. Wealthy Korean travelers are unlikely to choose such an inconvenient route.
Transit passengers are confined to the terminal due to visa restrictions. Facilities are minimal: there is no proper internet or roaming, and Wi-Fi costs $5 per hour, with poor connectivity. COVID-19 testing procedures remain chaotic and mandatory, despite being largely outdated.
Competition from Regional Hubs
Turkmenistan faces tough competition from Uzbekistan Airways and Air Astana, which offer better service, convenient connections, and programs like Air Astana’s MyStopover, including hotel stays for just $19. Meanwhile, Etihad Airways provides up to two free nights in Abu Dhabi for transit passengers.
Neighboring Uzbekistan recently introduced visa-free travel with China, boosting tourism and flight demand. In 2024, Uzbekistan earned $3.5 billion from tourism and $5.8 billion from logistics - figures Turkmenistan can only aspire to.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
July 23, 2025