VIII Central Asia Aviation Summit Highlights Uzbekistan’s Role as a Regional Aviation Hub

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 27 November 2025, the VIII Central Asia Aviation Summit (CAAS #8) was successfully held in Tashkent, bringing together aviation leaders from Central Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and other regions.

Building on the success of previous summits in Tashkent and Astana, the event served as a platform to discuss the current state and future development of civil aviation in the region.

More than 200 delegates attended the summit, including representatives from airlines, airports, regulatory authorities, leasing companies, equipment manufacturers, consulting firms, and technology partners. The program featured keynote speeches and four panel discussions covering aviation connectivity, fleet development and financing, distribution and customer experience, and airport infrastructure.

“Continued investment by Uzbekistan in new airport infrastructure, enhanced safety, and human capital development plays a key role in supporting a sustainable aviation sector,” said Rizwan Siddiqui, IATA Country Manager for Central Asian states.

“According to the study ‘The Value of Air Transport for Uzbekistan,’ over 12,400 people are directly employed in the aviation sector, generating an economic impact of US$96.5 million, or 0.1% of GDP.

The country’s strategic location at the crossroads of Asia, the Caucasus, and Europe positions Uzbekistan as a future east–west hub, benefiting not only aviation but also tourism, trade, and investment sectors.”

The summit opened with a welcome address by Jamoliddin Nazarov, Head of the Department of Air Transport at the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan, who emphasized the country’s commitment to strengthening its position as an aviation hub for transit between East and West.

The first session on regional air connectivity was moderated by Ilya Gutlin, CEO of Aerolabs. Presentations included Rizwan Siddiqui’s report on trends and transformations in regional traffic and a keynote speech by Michael Stanton-Geddes from ACI Europe on infrastructure financing and strategic partnerships.

The case study of Almaty Airport demonstrated how a public-private partnership model supports runway reconstruction, cargo capacity expansion, and long-term capacity planning.

The session on fleet development and aviation financing, led by Gregory Pomerantsev (HADID), focused on the modernization of Central Asian airlines’ fleets. Presentations by Adibek Umraliev (Vietjet Qazaqstan) and representatives from Embraer, SunExpress, and FPG Amentum addressed leasing, the use of narrow-body and regional aircraft, and the growth of cargo operations amid the rise of e-commerce.

The third session concentrated on distribution and enhancing customer experience. Panel discussions featuring Gwenaele Monboisset (Amadeus) and Ozan Peneklioglu (Turkish Airlines) emphasized the importance of technology integration, personalization, and user experience to meet the needs of Central Asian travelers.

The final session, focused on airport infrastructure, was moderated by Maxim Pyadushkin (Central Asia+ Aero). Representatives from Tashkent and Samarkand airports, as well as international consultants, discussed investment models, capacity management, sustainable development, and multimodal connectivity. Case studies from Tashkent, Samarkand, and Almaty illustrated how different ownership and development models support regional and international air connectivity.

The summit program also included presentations by Rolls-Royce on modern eco-friendly engines, Embraer on the role of regional aircraft, and Lufthansa consultants on Central Asian airline business models. Coffee breaks, lunches, and an evening reception facilitated knowledge exchange, partnership building, and discussions on future projects in route development, infrastructure, fleet planning, and digital transformation.

CAAS #8 confirmed Tashkent’s importance as a key platform for the region’s aviation industry and highlighted Central Asia’s strategic potential as a future aviation hub. The summit underscored the industry’s commitment to:

Strengthen regional and global connectivity;

Invest in modern fleets and infrastructure;

Develop digital and commercial capabilities;

Build sustainable, financially resilient, and passenger-oriented systems.

Key partners and sponsors, including Marsh Aviation & Space, Solus Insurance Brokers, Malakut Insurance, Aélia Assurances, and Apogee Aviation Services, provided expertise in risk management, insurance, and operational support.

Airlines Turkish Airlines and Qanot Sharq showcased their expanding route networks and cargo capabilities, reflecting the dynamic growth of Central Asia’s aviation sector.