Tokyo | ORIENT. Direct air service between Turkmenistan and Japan, a key topic during the December summit in Tokyo, continues to be actively discussed in Japanese business circles. Leading Japanese media outlets emphasize that the launch of flights, expected in 2026, will not only boost tourism but also serve as a major cargo channel.
Japanese experts emphasize that direct flights will significantly reduce the delivery time of high-tech goods and electronics to Central Asia. According to industry publication Budget Sky, work on launching direct flights between Narita and Ashgabat is entering a critical phase, and the first scheduled flights could connect the capitals as early as 2026.
Business associations in Tokyo and Osaka see the opening of a direct air link as an opportunity for Japanese investors and technical specialists to be deployed in Turkmenistan's green energy and digitalization projects.
For the Japanese side, this is not just an air route, but the creation of physical infrastructure for the investment package announced at the summit.
The path to the opening of the route was systematic. As a reminder, the framework for operating the Tokyo/Narita-Ashgabat route was developed in late 2023. Throughout 2025, the aviation authorities of the two countries held close consultations, including a January visit by a Turkmenistan Airlines delegation to Japan to thoroughly elaborate on technical regulations.
