Global aviation body IATA announces office opening and strategic support for Uzbekistan

The announcement was made during an event attended by the Minister of Transport, Ilhom Mahkamov, and the IATA Regional Vice President for Europe, Rafael Schvartzman. According to Schvartzman, Uzbekistan represents a rapidly growing market that currently holds a leading position in Central Asia for both passenger and cargo transportation. He emphasized that the establishment of an IATA office and the introduction of the BSP will provide strategic support for the development of air transport by improving safety standards and operational efficiency.

The physical presence of IATA experts in Tashkent will provide direct support to local airlines and airports. A key component of this partnership is the implementation of the Billing and Settlement Plan – a global system designed to streamline transactions between airlines and travel agencies. Once operational, the BSP will grant Uzbek carriers access to a massive global network of accredited agencies, directly boosting ticket sales in foreign markets.

Rafael Schvartzman further noted that the BSP will allow Uzbekistan’s airlines to process financial transactions globally with greater efficiency and lower costs, while simultaneously expanding their reach into international markets.

A recent study published by the organization in November 2025 highlights the sector's vital role in the national economy, noting that aviation accounts for approximately 0.9% of Uzbekistan’s GDP. The industry supports more than 128,000 jobs when including related sectors such as tourism and supply chains. Long-term forecasts for the 2024–2050 period suggest that passenger-kilometers in Uzbekistan will grow at an annual rate of 3.3%, slightly outpacing the global average of 3.1%.

As the representative body for the global air transport industry, IATA coordinates interests in areas ranging from flight safety and technical maintenance to tariff policy and the development of international standards.