New Tashkent international airport construction set for June start

In an interview with Spot on the sidelines of the 59th Annual Meeting of the ADB Board of Governors in Samarkand, Choriev confirmed that the project has reached its final preparatory stages

A public–private partnership (PPP) agreement is expected to be signed by mid–May, followed by a final governmental review. The deputy minister noted that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev issued a direct mandate to begin the construction process next month, and the international consortium of private partners is fully prepared to mobilize.

The project is being spearheaded by a consortium consisting of Vision Invest (Saudi Arabia, 45%), Sojitz Corporation (Japan, 30%), Incheon International Airport Corporation (South Korea, 15%), and Uzbekistan Airports (10%). Consultants from Ireland and other international experts are also providing technical guidance. Under the terms of the PPP, Uzbekistan will not be required to provide a guaranteed passenger flow. Despite recent fluctuations, the sector continues to show strong momentum, with annual passenger traffic growth previously reaching approximately 30%.

The new airport, located in the Tashkent region, will be constructed in phases. The initial stage includes a terminal complex spanning 208,000 square meters and two four–kilometer runways. Upon full completion, the facility is expected to handle up to 20 million passengers and 129,000 tons of cargo annually, with the capacity to manage 30 take–offs and landings per hour.

Connectivity is a key feature of the development, as the complex will be linked to the Tashkent–Samarkand, Tashkent–Andijan, and Tashkent–Bostanlyk toll roads. Furthermore, a dedicated high–speed railway station will be built on–site, complemented by shuttle services between the capital and New Tashkent. The ambitious project, which aims to establish Uzbekistan as a premier regional aviation hub, is projected to open by 2029.