Why is this important
The lack of payments is a serious financial and reputational risk for the young airline Air Samarkand. For employees, the situation is critical — some are left without funds for food, rental housing, and basic needs.
What happened
- Salaries have not been paid since June 2025.
- The company’s management acknowledges the delays and explains them by the fact that customers have not yet transferred all the due amounts.
- Some employees have already quit due to debts, while others continue to work “out of love for aviation”.
- Last spring, there was a similar problem, but then the collective managed to get payments.
- Workers complain that they are not even given money for food and rent, and some managers are showing rudeness.
What they say
Employees say that they are not even provided with the most basic necessities, payments are not being paid, the management says. The airline claims the delays are due to customers not yet fully settling accounts.
Context
Air Samarkand is an Uzbek airline founded in April 2022 and based in Samarkand. The company received the operator’s certificate in December 2023, and the first commercial flight was made on December 29, 2023. The company’s young age and dependence on contracts with customers can increase its vulnerability to financial fluctuations and cash delays.
