Uzbekistan's aviation passenger flow increased by 1%, reaching 6.9 million people

In the first nine months of 2026, Uzbekistan's air terminals accommodated over 12.6 million passengers, demonstrating a 13% growth compared to the previous year. Additionally, the number of flights increased, and the volume of cargo and mail processed exceeded last year's figure by more than a quarter.

The development dynamics were uneven across different regions of the country. From January to September, Uzbekistan's airports served 102.8 thousand flights, which is 10% more than the previous year. These flights were distributed as follows: 71.6 thousand were international, and 31.2 thousand were domestic.

The total passenger flow reached 12.66 million people. International transport covered 10.36 million passengers, while domestic flights accounted for 2.3 million passengers. The growth in these segments was 13% and 15% respectively.

Tashkent as a key aviation hub

The capital airport of Tashkent maintains its status as the country's main aviation hub. It accommodated 8.49 million passengers and served 62.5 thousand flights. Compared to the same period last year, passenger traffic in Tashkent grew by 16%, and the number of flights increased by 7%.

Among regional airports, Samarkand (1.11 million people), Urgench (724.4 thousand), Fergana (511 thousand), and Namangan (497.6 thousand) led in terms of passengers served.

Significant growth in Andijan and other regional changes

The sharpest increase in passenger flow was noted in Andijan, where it increased by 8.7 times, reaching 161.4 thousand people. This significant jump is partly due to the airport resuming operations after major reconstruction on March 20, 2025, whereas last year it did not function at full capacity.

There was also an increase in the number of passengers in Termez (by 48%), Urgench (by 18%), and Nukus (by 17%). In Termez, the growth is linked to the development of transportation for pilgrims heading to Umrah, as well as the launch of flights by the airline Flyadeal. The availability of pilgrimage tours attracted tourists from neighboring countries. In Urgench and Nukus, the launch of new international flights was an additional factor.

Some airports experienced a decrease in passenger flow: in Namangan, it fell by 16%, and in Karshi by 22%. According to Uzbekistan Airports, these results are influenced by changes in the route network, demand in certain directions, and airline schedules, which is related to the current geopolitical situation.

In Fergana, passenger flow increased by 5%, despite a 11% reduction in the number of flights. In Samarkand, passenger flow remained at the same level compared to last year, while the number of flights decreased by 2%. In Navoi, the overall operational structure of the airport changed: with a 22% decrease in passenger flow and a reduction in passenger flights, the total number of served flights increased by 14%, and cargo transport strengthened its position.

Bukhara served 407.4 thousand passengers in the first nine months, which is 1% less than the previous year. A project is being implemented in the region to create a new international airport, which is intended to improve air transport capabilities and stimulate tourism.

Growth in cargo transport

The positive trend in the cargo sector is worth noting separately. From January to September, Uzbekistan's airports handled 84.8 thousand tons of cargo and mail, which is 27% more than the same period in 2025. The main share of cargo went to Tashkent Airport, which handled 78.9 thousand tons.

Furthermore, the creation of an international airline jointly with Afghan Kam Air is planned in Fergana.

According to the draft presidential decree defining the strategy for developing the country's local passenger transport, Uzbekistan intends to increase the flow of domestic air passengers from the current 1.4 million to 2.5 million by 2030.

The document forecasts the following figures: in 2026, 1.5 million passengers are expected; in 2027, 1.7 million; in 2028, 1.9 million; and in 2029, 2.2 million, after which the number should rise to the planned 2.5 million by 2030.

The strategy also describes changes in Uzbekistan's aviation sector over recent years, including the expansion of airport infrastructure, an increase in the fleet of aircraft, and the development of route networks.

Development of the Aviation Industry

From 2023 to 2025, the number of air routes increased from 167 to 206, and the number of flights performed rose from 85,000 to 130,000. During the same period, the passenger traffic served by the country's airports grew from 10 million to 15.5 million.

In the first half of 2026, flights operated on 220 destinations, including 19 domestic and 201 international destinations.

The national fleet of aircraft in Uzbekistan has significantly expanded. In 2022, the fleet consisted of 54 aircraft; in 2023, another 24 were added, followed by eight in 2024, 21 in 2025, and seven in the first half of 2026. As a result, the total fleet reached 114 units.

Infrastructure Modernization and New Projects

Airport infrastructure has undergone massive modernization: according to the document, 11 international and domestic airports were reconstructed. Samarkand International Airport was completely renovated under a public-private partnership and transformed into a tourist center.

New passenger terminals have been built in Termez, Namangan, and Andijan. Additionally, new airports have been established in Muynak and Zomin, and a runway has been installed in the Sokh area. Airfields in Kokand, Shahrisabz, and Sariasia have been reconstructed.

Construction of the new Tashkent International Airport and a new airport in Bukhara began in the first half of 2026.

Improving Passenger Transfers

The strategy project also provides for improving connections between domestic flights for passengers traveling through Tashkent International Airport. The Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan, together with Uzbekistan Airports JSC and local airlines, will be responsible for coordinating schedules to facilitate transfers.

For passengers making connections in Tashkent, it is proposed to introduce a unified electronic ticket that allows registration up to the final destination and baggage transfer without the need to collect it at the intermediate airport. These measures are intended to simplify connections between domestic and subsequent flights.

The document also points to limitations affecting air transport and geopolitical factors as external risks to the aviation sector. To mitigate the potential impact of these risks, the strategy proposes diversifying and expanding both domestic air services and railway routes.

According to data from Airports Council International Europe (ACI EUROPE), passenger traffic at Uzbekistan's airports increased by 10.5% in August 2026 compared to the same month last year.

Uzbekistan has joined the group of countries outside the EU+ zone that demonstrated double-digit growth. Tashkent Airport showed a passenger traffic increase of 16.6%, ranking third in growth rates among major European airports serving between 10 and 25 million passengers annually. The fastest growth in this category was shown by Tirana (20.7%) and Tel Aviv (19.5%), while Ankara ranked fourth with a growth of 13.3%, and Venice reported 12.7%.

Overall, passenger traffic through major airports grew by 4.8%. ACI EUROPE attributes a significant part of this growth to the expansion of low-cost carriers' operations and, to a lesser extent, the emergence of new transatlantic routes.

Among non-EU+ countries, North Macedonia showed the largest growth with an increase of 34.8%, followed by Montenegro (28.6%), Albania (20.7%), Israel (19.5%), Armenia (14.2%), and Moldova (12.6%). Passenger traffic increased by 8.1% in Kazakhstan, 6.2% in Georgia, and 2.1% in Azerbaijan. Turkey, the largest market in this group, noted a growth of 4.4%, while Russia experienced the sharpest decline, losing 21.3% of passenger traffic.

Across the entire network of European airports, passenger traffic rose by 3.1% in August, an improvement compared to the 3.9% growth in July. This figure marked a significant acceleration compared to the second quarter, when growth was only 1.3% amid the war in the Middle East.

Airports outside the EU+ showed a 6% growth in August and 6.6% in July. In the EU+ market, passenger traffic increased by 2.5% in August and 3.4% in July, respectively. Within the EU+ market, Slovakia led the growth in August with a figure of 61%, followed by Slovenia (19.3%), Estonia (16.4%), Hungary (13%), and Malta (12.3%).

The least favorable results were recorded in Iceland, where passenger traffic decreased by 9.3%, as well as in Austria (-6%), France (-1.7%), Cyprus (-1.5%), Norway (-0.3%), and Germany (-0.2%). Among the largest markets, Italy showed the fastest growth at 5.2%, and Spain at 4.7%. Passenger traffic in the UK increased by 0.9%.

In August, Istanbul Airport became the busiest in Europe, handling 8.6 million passengers, which is 3% more than last year. London Heathrow took second place with 7.9 million passengers, although a decrease of 2.1% was recorded, while Paris Charles de Gaulle was third with 6.9 million, corresponding to a drop of 1.1%.

Olivier Jankovec, CEO of ACI EUROPE, noted that the growth in passenger traffic during the summer months indicates sustained demand for air travel despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, worsening macroeconomic conditions, supply constraints, and rising air ticket prices. He warned that the geopolitical energy shock is likely to put additional pressure on both demand and supply. Airlines are already reducing their capacity and increasing fares in response to the rising cost of aviation fuel.

Regarding cargo transport, the volume of air freight through European airports remained almost unchanged in July, showing a growth of 0.3%, before rising by 3% in August. The number of take-offs and landings increased by 2.7% in July and by 2.2% in August.