Uzbekistan aims to become a major aviation hub connecting East and West, North and South

As Tashkent continues its steady development and transformation into a modern metropolis, an increasing number of tourists, entrepreneurs, investors, and government representatives from various parts of the world are visiting the country. Since Uzbekistan opened its doors to the world, the number of foreign tourists has grown from 3 million to 10 million, and by 2030, this figure is expected to reach 15 million.

The restoration of good-neighborly relations and the opening of borders have created favorable conditions for free movement throughout the region.

New Tashkent, currently under construction at the initiative of the Head of State, will also become one of the country’s most vibrant centers thanks to its convenient location, investment appeal, and comfortable living conditions.

In this context, all areas of the country’s transport infrastructure are being steadily developed, with special attention given to creating a new ecosystem within the aviation industry.

In particular, reconstruction of seven international airports across various regions of the country is underway in accordance with modern standards.

At the same time, new airports have been built in Muynak, Kokand, Zaamin, Shakhrisabz, Sariasiya, and Sokh, bringing the total number of airports in the country to eighteen.

Most importantly, a competitive environment has been established within the sector. As a result, 15 new airlines have emerged, and the aircraft fleet has grown from 26 to 105 airplanes.

Today, 51 airlines from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, South Korea, China, India, Malaysia, Türkiye, Russia, Poland, and other countries operate regular flights to Uzbekistan.

In his address, the President emphasized that the development of transport infrastructure and the modernization of air communication will remain among the country’s top priorities.

Over the next five years, the number of aircraft in the national fleet will increase to 180, the number of routes to 230, and the total volume of domestic and international flights will reach 200,000 per year.

Measures to further develop airport infrastructure through public-private partnerships will continue to be implemented consistently.

“Ultimately, our goal is to turn Uzbekistan into a major aviation hub connecting East and West, North and South”, Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized.

The construction of the new international airport will lay a solid foundation for achieving this goal.

According to analysis, over the past eight years, passenger traffic to the capital has tripled, reaching 9 million people per year, and by 2040, it is expected to exceed 24 million. However, the current airport, designed to handle 11 million passengers annually and located within the city limits, cannot be expanded.

Therefore, taking into account the recommendations of leading international experts and public opinion, a decision was made to build a new international airport on an area of 1,300 hectares in Urtachirchiq and Quyichirchiq districts.

The project, implemented in cooperation with an international consortium of companies, Vision Invest (Saudi Arabia), Sojitz (Japan), and Incheon (South Korea), will be carried out in four stages. At the first stage, with an investment of $2.5 billion, an air terminal complex and an airfield will be constructed. Upon completion, the airport will be capable of serving up to 20 million passengers and 129,000 tons of cargo annually, handling up to 30 takeoffs and landings per hour, featuring 14 jet bridges, and accommodating 62 aircraft simultaneously.

The new airport will fully comply with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in terms of service quality, flight safety, and technical regulations.

The new facility will be equipped with the most advanced aeronautical and meteorological systems, allowing aircraft to land and take off under any weather conditions.

Special attention has been given to environmental standards: the new airport will become the first in the region to comply with the principles of green construction fully. The terminal will feature a duty-free zone covering an area of 46,000 square meters.

The construction of the airport will also form part of the development of a multimodal transport hub. 

The new complex will be directly connected to the Tashkent – Samarkand, Tashkent – Andijan, and Tashkent – Bustonliq highways. In addition, a modern railway station will be built nearby, enabling the operation of high-speed trains, while shuttle transport will be established between the centers of Tashkent and New Tashkent.

Most importantly, the new airport will become not only a transportation hub but also an economic center. The project is expected to generate more than $27 billion in revenue for the country, contribute to the further development of the service sector, industry, and tourism, and create thousands of new jobs.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed his gratitude to international partners, representatives of financial institutions, and tourism companies who attended the event. He also conveyed his strong confidence in the engineers and builders involved in the implementation of the project.

The Head of State placed a capsule into the foundation of the new Tashkent International Airport, officially marking the beginning of its construction.