Uzbekistan launches construction of new international airport in Tashkent region

With Tashkent’s steady development into a major metropolis, the number of visitors – including tourists, entrepreneurs, investors, and government officials – from various parts of the world has been rising. Since Uzbekistan opened its doors to the world, the number of foreign tourists has grown from 3 million to 10 million, and is expected to reach 15 million by 2030.

The restoration of good-neighborly relations and the reopening of borders have made it easier for people to travel freely across the region.

The newly built city of New Tashkent, initiated by the president, is also expected to become one of the busiest urban centers due to its convenient location, investment appeal, and favorable living conditions.

Accordingly, all areas of the transport infrastructure are being developed in a balanced manner. In particular, extensive work is underway to establish a new aviation ecosystem.

Seven international airports across the regions are currently being reconstructed to meet modern standards.

New airports have been built in Muynak, Kokand, Zomin, Shahrisabz, Sariosiyo, and Sokh districts, bringing the total number of airports to 18.

Most importantly, the creation of a competitive environment in the sector has led to the emergence of 15 new airlines. The number of aircraft in their fleets has increased from 26 to 105.

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

In his speech, the president emphasized that the country will continue to rapidly develop its transport infrastructure in the coming years.

Over the next five years, the number of aircraft will reach 180, the number of routes will increase to 230, and both domestic and international flights will total 200,000 per year. Efforts to develop airport infrastructure through public–private partnerships will continue consistently.

“Through these reforms, our ultimate goal is to turn Uzbekistan into a major aviation hub connecting East and West, North and South,” said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

It was noted that the construction of the new international airport will play a key role in achieving this goal.

According to analysis, over the past eight years, the passenger flow to the capital has tripled to 9 million per year and is projected to exceed 24 million by 2040. However, the current airport, which serves 11 million passengers annually, is located within the city limits, making expansion impossible. Therefore, after discussions with leading international experts and members of the public, a decision was made to build a new international airport on a 1,300-hectare site in Urta Chirchik and Quyi Chirchik districts.

The project, implemented in cooperation with an international consortium that includes Saudi Arabia’s Vision Invest, Japan’s Sojitz, and South Korea’s Incheon companies, will be carried out in four phases. During the first stage, an air terminal and airfield will be constructed at a cost of $2.5 billion. This will enable the airport to handle 20 million passengers and 129,000 tons of cargo per year, perform 30 take-off and landing operations per hour, operate 14 jet bridges, and accommodate 62 aircraft simultaneously.

The new airport will fully comply with the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for service quality, flight safety, and technical regulation.

It will be equipped with the most advanced air navigation and flight safety systems, allowing aircraft to land in all weather conditions.

Another key aspect of the project is its adherence to “green” standards – it will be the first airport in the region built in line with environmentally friendly principles. The terminal will also feature a 46,000-square-meter duty-free zone.

Construction of the new airport will also create a multimodal transport hub. The site will be connected to the Tashkent – Samarkand, Tashkent – Andijan, and Tashkent – Bostanlyk toll highways. A modern railway station will be built, and high-speed trains will operate to and from the airport. Shuttle services will link downtown Tashkent with New Tashkent.

Most importantly, the project will be economically attractive for the state, generating more than USD 27 billion in revenue for the country. It will contribute to the development of the services, manufacturing, and tourism sectors, as well as the creation of new jobs.

President Mirziyoyev expressed gratitude to foreign partners, financial institutions, and tourism companies participating in the event. He also conveyed his confidence in the specialists, engineers, and construction teams involved in building the new airport.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev laid a capsule at the foundation of the new Tashkent International Airport, officially launching its construction.