The Urgench International Airport is undergoing large-scale reconstruction aimed at significantly increasing its capacity and enabling the reception of wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A350. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed the development plans for this air hub on August 17 during his visit to the Khorezm region.
According to data presented to the President, there is a significant growth in the number of visitors arriving in the Khorezm region. Urgench and Khiva are increasingly being used as venues for major international summits, high-level diplomatic meetings, as well as economic and cultural events, which has necessitated serious expansion of transport and airport infrastructure.
The Urgench Airport was opened in 1960 and gained international status in 1992. The complex covers an extensive area of over 285 hectares, and currently, about ten leading airlines operate regular flights here.
The airport's financial indicators show positive dynamics: in 2026, it provided services worth 126 billion soums, exceeding the figure for the same period in 2025 by 31%. $264 million has been allocated for the modernization and expansion project, with the project being implemented under a public-private partnership model.
The private partner in this project is the South Korean company Incheon International Airport Corporation, which manages one of the world's largest and most technologically advanced aviation centers. A terminal designed to serve official delegations is already operational, and the first phase of the airfield complex reconstruction is proceeding at an accelerated pace.
The first phase includes the construction of a parking area for eighteen aircraft and the erection of a new taxiway. Additionally, the airport will be equipped with modern border and visa control zones, a comfortable business lounge, retail outlets, dining areas, a 24-hour medical post, and a duty-free zone featuring goods from renowned global brands.
One of the most important achievements of the reconstruction will be the ability to accommodate large wide-body aircraft, including the Boeing 747 and Airbus A350. This will pave the way for launching direct long-haul flights to Khorezm from various parts of the globe. After the completion of the work, the airport's capacity will increase more than fourfold—from the current 300 to 1,300 passengers per hour.
The President emphasized that the airport's development should not only be viewed in terms of increasing tourist flow. Ensuring a high level of safety and comfort for foreign delegations visiting Urgench and Khiva for international events is critically important for enhancing Uzbekistan's international prestige.
The reconstruction aims to provide Khorezm with modern aviation infrastructure capable of meeting the growing passenger traffic and the new scale of regional international interaction. It is worth noting that earlier reports mentioned the dismantling of the old passenger terminal at Andijan International Airport because the new terminal building does not meet safety requirements after the runway extension.
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