Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- As part of a program to diversify and expand the route network, the private Uzbek airline Qanot Sharq (IATA code: HH) has obtained permission to operate flights to the European Union (it has been issued a so-called “operator certificate from third countries, TCO). 

It became the second carrier in Uzbekistan that has the right to fly to the EU after the national Uzbekistan Airways, the press service of the company said in the statement.

The TCO (Third Country Operators) certificate is issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to operators from third countries and is an assessment of the safety performance of foreign carriers and their national oversight bodies. It allows foreign airlines to fly in the airspace of the entire European Union.