Uzbekistan Plans to Attract Low-Cost Airlines to Reduce Tourist Airfare

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan is planning to attract low-cost airlines to lower airfare for tourists, Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev announced on January 17 during an open dialogue between ambassadors and business representatives.

The initiative follows complaints from tourism entrepreneurs about the high cost of entry tickets to historical sites. According to their data, European tourists—whose numbers have declined due to the deteriorating economic situation—spend between US$130 and US$150 to visit 12–14 attractions in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, often forcing many to limit the number of sites they visit. Additionally, a mandatory 12% VAT is applied to tourist services.

Davron Vakhabov, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, noted that tourists also spend US$150–US$200 per day on hotel accommodations. He suggested offering travel agencies discounts on airline tickets both during peak and off-peak seasons, emphasizing that the absence of low-cost carriers makes flights to Uzbekistan expensive—tickets currently cost US$700–US$900, whereas flights to nearby countries such as Georgia can cost as little as US$50–US$100.

Khodjaev agreed on the need to reduce both entrance fees and airfare, calling the current rates “very high.” The Deputy Prime Minister also pledged to consider VAT refunds for tourists and optimize ticket costs for attractions as part of the government commission’s work.

He highlighted that the airline Wizz Air previously offered tickets for US$50–US$60, demonstrating the potential for expanding the presence of low-cost carriers in Uzbekistan. According to Khodjaev, attracting tourists from distant countries requires extending trip durations by developing hotels and entertainment infrastructure, as short 3–4 day trips do not justify travel time from countries such as Brazil or North America.

Khodjaev also encouraged diplomats and the business community to actively attract tourists from neighboring countries, where flights to Uzbekistan take only 3–4 hours. By the end of January, the Tourism Committee is expected to set dates for cultural festivals to boost tourist traffic.

According to a presidential decree, Uzbekistan aims to reach 20 million foreign visitors annually by 2030. In 2025, the country received 11.7 million tourists, an increase of 46.7% compared to the previous year.