Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A sudden shift in wind direction led to temporary restrictions on the arrival and departure of aircraft at Tashkent International Airport at 16:03 local time.

As a result, several flights were forced to land at alternate airports. A Qanot Sharq aircraft operating flight HH-2232 from Cam Ranh diverted to Samarkand, landing at 16:35. It was soon followed by Uzbekistan Airways flights HY-9732 from Makhachkala (landing at 16:42) and HY-424 from Delhi (landing at 16:51), both of which also diverted to Samarkand.

Additionally, the crew of Air Astana flight KC-123, en route from Astana to Tashkent, opted to divert to Turkistan Airport.

By 16:30, conditions had returned to normal and operational restrictions at Tashkent Airport were lifted. The airport has since resumed full operations, and aircraft that diverted to other cities are now preparing to return to Tashkent.

Wind shear is a meteorological phenomenon characterized by a sudden change in wind speed or direction over a short distance. It can occur both horizontally and vertically and poses a significant challenge to aircraft during takeoff and landing.