Somon Air, Tajikistan’s national airline, will launch weekly direct flights between Dushanbe and Minsk starting Aug. 29, the Civil Aviation Agency said.

The airline will operate the route once a week on Saturdays using a Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft. The new service is expected to strengthen air links between Tajikistan and Belarus, facilitate travel between the two countries and support economic, trade, tourism and humanitarian ties.

Tickets will be available through Somon Air’s official website.

The launch follows the recent addition of another Boeing 737-8 MAX to Somon Air’s fleet. The aircraft was acquired as part of efforts to modernize Tajikistan’s civil aviation sector and expand the airline’s international route network.

The Civil Aviation Agency said the government is implementing the State Program for the Development of Civil Aviation and its Open Skies policy to strengthen the country’s air transport capacity and expand international connections.

The agency said the expansion of international routes will help increase passenger traffic, promote tourism and cultural exchanges, strengthen economic ties and support Tajikistan’s efforts to maintain an open-door policy.

The agency also said it will continue working to expand the country’s international flight network and strengthen cooperation with the International Civil Aviation Organization and aviation authorities in neighboring and non-CIS countries.