Uzbekistan Plans to Increase Air Passenger Traffic to 24 Million by 2030

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The authorities of Uzbekistan have outlined a comprehensive development plan for the aviation sector for 2026–2030. The relevant targets and indicators are set out in the updated Uzbekistan–2030 Strategy, which has been submitted for public discussion on the SOVAZ platform.

The document provides for the phased growth of key industry parameters, including an increase in passenger traffic, expansion of the aircraft fleet, growth in the number of flights, and large-scale modernization of airport infrastructure. By 2030, the volume of passenger air transportation in the country is expected to reach 24 million passengers.

Passenger traffic is projected to grow steadily throughout the implementation period of the strategy. In 2026, airports are expected to serve 16 million passengers, rising to 18 million in 2027, 20 million in 2028, 22 million in 2029, and reaching 24 million passengers by 2030.

One of the key priorities for the sector’s development is the expansion of the aircraft fleet. In 2026, the total number of aircraft is expected to reach 120. The fleet is projected to grow to 147 aircraft in 2027, 158 in 2028, 167 in 2029, and 180 aircraft by 2030.

Significant attention is also being paid to the development of the route network and an increase in the number of flights. In 2026, the total number of flights is estimated at 140,000, including 37,000 interregional routes. In 2027, this figure is expected to rise to 145,000 flights, including 38,000 interregional services. In 2028, airlines are projected to operate 167,000 flights, including 39,000 between regions. In 2029, the number of flights is expected to reach 185,000, with 40,000 interregional flights, and by 2030 the total is projected to increase to 200,000 flights, including 41,000 regional services.

A separate strategic priority is the development of regional flights that do not involve Tashkent. In 2026, 624 such flights are planned. Their number is expected to increase to 728 in 2027, 936 in 2028, 1,144 in 2029, and reach 1,560 flights by 2030.

The strategy also предусматривает large-scale modernization of airport infrastructure with the involvement of private operators through public-private partnership mechanisms. In 2026, one major airport is scheduled to be modernized and transferred to management under this model, followed by two airports in 2027, three in 2028, four in 2029, and five of the country’s largest airports by 2030.

In addition, the authorities plan to foster a more competitive environment in the air transport market. By 2030, the number of private airlines operating in Uzbekistan is expected to increase to 15.