Tashkent Airport Cargo Terminal Expands as Freight Volumes Rise

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Air cargo transportation is becoming an increasingly important part of modern transport infrastructure as foreign trade expands and international logistics links grow. Uzbekistan is steadily developing this segment, strengthening Tashkent's position as one of Central Asia's key logistics hubs.

On 17 July 2026, journalists visited the cargo terminal at Tashkent International Airport during a press tour to observe how air freight is handled. They were shown warehouse facilities, specialized storage areas, cargo handling and customs processing zones, the administrative building, and the electronic queue management system.

Capacity increased from 30,000 to 120,000 tonnes

The expansion of the cargo terminal was driven by sustained growth in air freight volumes. The airport's previous infrastructure was designed to handle around 30,000 tonnes of cargo and mail annually. By 2024, however, actual throughput had reached nearly 80,000 tonnes, significantly exceeding the original design capacity.

In response to rising demand, a new cargo terminal was commissioned in March 2025. It has a design capacity of up to 120,000 tonnes of cargo and mail per year.

The new facility has continued to post positive results. More than 88,000 tonnes of cargo and mail were processed in 2025, and the figure is forecast to reach 92,000 tonnes in 2026.

The expansion of cargo infrastructure is therefore not only keeping pace with growing freight volumes but also creating additional capacity for further development of air logistics.

Freight growth reflects expanding foreign trade

The strongest growth has been recorded in 2026. During the first half of the year, more than 48,000 tonnes of cargo and mail passed through the Tashkent airport cargo terminal, up 33.2% from the same period a year earlier.

The composition of cargo traffic also reflects the diversity of Uzbekistan's foreign trade.

Since the beginning of the year, more than 1,100 tonnes of agricultural products have been exported by air. On the import side, the terminal handled more than 15,000 tonnes of general cargo, around 4,700 tonnes of perishable goods, and nearly 1,200 tonnes of live animals.

These figures show that the terminal processes a wide range of cargo, from agricultural products and perishable goods to specialized shipments requiring specific storage and transport conditions.

For an export-oriented economy, air logistics plays a particularly important role by significantly reducing delivery times, especially for goods with limited shelf lives and high added value.

Processing speed is a key competitive advantage

Modern logistics is increasingly measured not only by cargo volumes but also by processing speed. The cargo terminal is currently capable of handling up to 500 tonnes of freight per day.

The average time from an aircraft's arrival to cargo delivery to the recipient is between three and four hours. This is particularly important for perishable goods, pharmaceuticals, live animals and other cargo requiring rapid processing.

During the press tour, journalists observed the procedures for receiving, sorting, storing, processing and releasing cargo. A key feature of the facility is its electronic queue management system, which helps organize interactions between logistics participants and improve operational efficiency.

Infrastructure continues to expand

Growing freight volumes require continued infrastructure development. Construction is currently underway on two additional covered storage facilities with a combined area of more than 6,000 square metres.

The new facilities will expand the terminal's cargo handling capacity, improve the processing of import and export shipments, and provide additional capacity for future growth in air freight traffic.

The expansion is important not only for the airport but also for Uzbekistan's broader transport and logistics network. Higher cargo handling capacity supports faster foreign trade operations, expands export opportunities for businesses, and strengthens the country's international connectivity.

Tashkent strengthens its role as a regional logistics hub

The increase in cargo traffic through Tashkent International Airport comes as Uzbekistan continues to develop its transport infrastructure and expand international trade links. The country's geographic location makes it a natural connection point between the markets of Central Asia, China, South Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Within this network, Tashkent International Airport serves as an important hub for both passenger and cargo aviation. Its modern cargo terminal, rapid processing times and expanding warehouse infrastructure provide the conditions for further growth in air logistics.

The development of air cargo transportation has become one of the indicators of the country's economic activity. Rising cargo volumes, a broader range of goods handled and continued investment in infrastructure reflect the emergence of a more modern and flexible logistics system.

For Uzbekistan, which aims to increase exports and diversify its foreign trade, efficient air logistics is becoming an important competitive advantage.

The cargo terminal at Tashkent International Airport is therefore evolving beyond a transport facility into an important component of the country's long-term strategy to strengthen its position in regional and international freight transport.