Centrum Air issued an official statement regarding the situation on the Tashkent — Urgench route. The company rejected the objections of the Committee for the Development of Competition and Protection of Consumer Rights regarding overbooking.
Earlier, the Competition Committee sent an official request to the Civil Aviation Agency regarding the possibility of overbooking, i.e., selling more tickets than available seats, in the activities of the private airlines — Centrum Air and Qanot Sharq.
Plane struck by lightning, flight substituted
According to the company, the Airbus A330 aircraft scheduled for flight C6089 on May 19, 2026 was struck by lightning. Therefore, the aircraft was taken for technical inspection and not cleared for flight from a safety perspective.
To avoid major delays in the flight schedule, the airline used a smaller-capacity Airbus A320 aircraft. As a result, 42 passengers could not board and were unable to take the flight.
"This is not overbooking, but a force majeure situation"
Centrum Air emphasized that this situation is not related to overbooking.
"Centrum Air absolutely does not practice overbooking, i.e., selling more tickets than available seats. The situation on flight C6089 occurred solely due to an unforeseen force majeure," the company's statement reads.
The airline also recalled that the right to replace the aircraft from a safety perspective is stipulated in the current Rules for the Carriage of Passengers and Baggage and in clause 15 of the contract.
Passengers offered compensation and new flights
Passengers who missed the flight were offered two options:
— full refund of the ticket price;
— free rebooking to the nearest flights, including through other airlines.
Passengers with extended waiting time were accommodated in a hotel. In addition, each passenger was given a 50% discount promo code for domestic flights, one free baggage allowance, and the option to choose a more comfortable seat on the plane for free.
"All requirements are being fulfilled within the framework of the law"
The company announced that in cases of flight delays or changes, passengers are notified in advance, provided with free food and drinks during the waiting period, and accommodated in a hotel if necessary.
The statement notes that all obligations are being fulfilled in accordance with the requirements of the Law "On Protection of Consumer Rights" and the Air Code.
Centrum Air expressed its readiness to cooperate with the Competition Committee and the Civil Aviation Agency, and to provide all requested documents and statistical data for the inspection within the stipulated timeframe.
