Central Asia Shows Rapid Growth in Air Transportation — IATA

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The aviation market in Central Asia is entering a period of stable and structural growth, with Uzbekistan emerging as one of the most dynamically developing air markets in the region.

This was stated by Rizwan Siddiqui, Country Manager for Central Asia at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), speaking at the Central Asian Aviation Summit in Tashkent.

According to him, the global aviation industry in 2025 is demonstrating a confident recovery following the pandemic. Global revenue is projected to reach US$979 billion, with airline profits around US$36 billion.

The operating margin is expected to be 3.6 percent, exceeding last year’s level. Meanwhile, the average global air fare has decreased to US$374, roughly 40 percent below the 2014 level. Demand remains high: by the end of the year, 4.9 billion passengers and approximately 69 million tons of air cargo are expected.

Aviation continues to be a critically important sector for the global economy. According to IATA, the industry supports 86.5 million jobs and generates US$4.1 trillion in economic activity, equivalent to 3.9 percent of global GDP.

Central Asia, Siddiqui noted, is one of the fastest-growing regions in terms of air traffic. Over the past ten years, total air traffic increased by 236 percent. The most significant growth occurred in Uzbekistan, where traffic volume rose by 344 percent compared to 2015. Kazakhstan showed an increase of 249 percent.

Domestic markets have also expanded considerably: domestic traffic grew by 212 percent over the decade. The low-cost carrier model has been a key driver of change, and the launch of the first budget airline in the region has led, according to IATA, to 15 percent of passengers in Kazakhstan taking their first-ever flight.

The economic contribution of the aviation sector in regional countries is also growing. In Kazakhstan, aviation generates US$6.4 billion, or 2.5 percent of GDP, providing employment for 191,000 people. In Uzbekistan, the contribution is estimated at US$795 million, or about 1 percent of GDP, with 128,000 jobs. Siddiqui noted that in the next report, these figures for Uzbekistan could rise significantly, considering the sharp surge in activity in 2024–2025.

International passenger traffic in the region remains concentrated on several routes. Russia accounts for 36 percent of inbound traffic, followed by Turkey, China, and the United Arab Emirates. The easing of visa regimes has played a significant role in increasing mobility: citizens of 85–86 countries can now obtain visas on arrival, strengthening both tourism and business connections.

Siddiqui emphasized that the structure and development logic of the aviation markets in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan differ. Kazakhstan shows rapid growth in domestic traffic due to its vast territory and lack of alternative high-speed ground routes.

Uzbekistan, by contrast, has a developed network of high-speed railways, creating a different demand configuration. However, according to the IATA representative, this does not slow the development of the Uzbek aviation market: the stable growth in air traffic indicates that demand for air travel continues to expand regardless of competition from rail transport.

Digitalization remains one of the key development areas for the sector. In Astana, a biometric passenger check-in system is being implemented for domestic flights. Uzbekistan is actively developing digital services in the cargo segment, including electronic customs declaration and the implementation of e-Freight and e-Avail solutions at the Tashkent cargo terminal.

IATA pays particular attention to safety. In Central Asia, only Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have airlines that have passed the IOSA international safety audit. In the coming years, several carriers and airports plan to undergo ISAGO audits.

According to Siddiqui, raising safety standards will be a key factor in attracting new airlines and strengthening passenger confidence in the region’s market.