Air Samarkand faces difficulties paying staff salaries

Reports have surfaced that nearly 50 Russian nationals have not received salaries from Uzbekistan’s Air Samarkand airline for three months. The company confirmed the issue, citing unexpected expenses that created “financial challenges” and pledging to prioritize repayment of wage arrears.

In a statement released on 29 September, Air Samarkand acknowledged delays in salary payments. “The airline has indeed faced financial challenges that affected the timelines of wage disbursements,” the company said.

According to the airline, in spring and summer 2025, all of its aircraft required unscheduled technical maintenance, which led to significant and unplanned costs in a short period. The company apologized to its employees and stressed that clearing the salary arrears “in the shortest possible time” is the management’s top priority. Negotiations with investors, contractors, and partners are underway to resolve the issue.

The statement also noted that all aircraft have now completed their full maintenance cycle, and the airline is operating in regular mode, maintaining average daily flight levels in line with safety standards.

Air Samarkand emphasized that salary obligations apply equally to all staff, regardless of nationality, position, work experience, or other factors.

On 27 September, the “SHOT” Telegram channel reported that nearly 50 Russian employees accused Air Samarkand of failing to pay salaries for three months. The report claimed that staff had not received food allowances in recent months, despite such support being available in summer upon special request. Employees also said that housing rental allowances were not being provided. A similar situation reportedly occurred in spring, but at that time flight attendants, pilots, and other staff eventually received their salaries.

Air Samarkand was established in 2022 and began operating regular international flights in 2024.

The airline’s parent company, Sam Air LLC, is 51% owned by Bakhtiyor Fazilov and 49% by Bahodir Gafurov. Fazilov is also affiliated with Air Marakanda LLC, which manages Samarkand International Airport. Some of Fazilov’s other companies, including Enter Engineering, have previously been reported to experience occasional salary delays.

Source: KUN.UZ