Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan plans to increase domestic air passenger traffic from 1.4 million to 2.5 million passengers by 2030 under a draft presidential resolution outlining the country's local passenger transport development strategy.
According to the document, domestic air passenger numbers are expected to reach 1.5 million in 2026, 1.7 million in 2027, 1.9 million in 2028 and 2.2 million in 2029, before rising to 2.5 million by 2030.
The draft strategy also outlines developments in Uzbekistan's aviation sector in recent years, including the expansion of flight networks, aircraft fleets and airport infrastructure.
Between 2023 and 2025, the number of air routes increased from 167 to 206, while the number of flights rose from 85,000 to 130,000.
Over the same period, passenger traffic handled by the country's airports increased from 10 million to 15.5 million.
In the first half of 2026, flights operated on 220 routes, including 19 domestic and 201 international destinations.
Uzbekistan's national aircraft fleet has also expanded considerably.
In 2022, the fleet comprised 54 aircraft. An additional 24 aircraft were added in 2023, followed by eight in 2024, 21 in 2025 and seven in the first half of 2026.
As a result, the total number of aircraft reached 114.
Airport infrastructure has undergone extensive development, with 11 international and domestic airports reconstructed, according to the document.
Samarkand International Airport was fully modernised under a public-private partnership and transformed into a tourism hub.
New passenger terminals were constructed in Termez, Namangan and Andijan.
New airports were also built in Muynak and Zomin, while an airstrip was established in Sokh district.
Airfields in Kokand, Shahrisabz and Sariasia underwent reconstruction.
Construction of a new Tashkent international airport and a new airport in Bukhara began in the first half of 2026.
The draft strategy also proposes improving connections between domestic flights for passengers travelling through Tashkent International Airport.
Uzbekistan's Ministry of Transport, together with Uzbekistan Airports JSC and resident airlines, would be responsible for coordinating flight schedules to facilitate transfers.
For passengers connecting through Tashkent, the strategy proposes introducing a single electronic ticket, through check-in to the final destination and baggage transfers without requiring passengers to collect their luggage at the intermediate airport.
These measures are intended to simplify connections between domestic and onward flights.
The document also identifies restrictions affecting air transport and geopolitical factors as external risks to the aviation sector.
To mitigate their potential impact, the strategy proposes diversifying and expanding domestic air services and railway routes.
