Uzbekistan Air Cargo Notes | 23 October 2025
- Nadira Islamova
- Oct 23
- 3 min read
Welcome to this week's edition of Uzbekistan Air Cargo Notes, the first and only newsletter focusing on the latest news and insights into the dynamic air cargo market of Uzbekistan and Central Asia. This week, we are reporting on Uzbekistan starting construction of the new Tashkent International Airport, Air Astana expanding its fleet and more.
Air Cargo Trends
Uzbekistan starts building new Tashkent International Airport
Construction has begun on a new international airport in Tashkent Region to position Uzbekistan as a major air hub connecting East–West and North–South
The project, launched with partners from Saudi Arabia, Japan and South Korea, focuses on sustainability and meeting ICAO international standards on 15 October 2025
Tashkent Airport renewed RA3 status for UK and EU
The cargo terminal at Tashkent International Airport renewed its RA3 certification for the UK and EU after UzCargo’s relocation to a new facility, confirming compliance with international aviation security standards on 13 October 2025
The certification, valid until August 2028, reinforces Tashkent’s position as a major air cargo hub and enhances logistics efficiency for international partners
New Tashkent airport expected to open in 2029
South Korea’s Incheon International Airport Corporation signed a $24.5 million five-year consultancy contract to support the development and management of Tashkent’s new international airport project under a public-private partnership
The airport, developed by a consortium from Saudi Arabia, Japan, South Korea and Uzbekistan, is set to open in 2029 and aims to position the capital as a key Central Asian transport hub
Russia’s air travel share in Kazakhstan continues to decline
Russia’s share in Kazakhstan’s international air bookings fell by 45.6% in 2025, marking the second consecutive year of decline, according to Aviasales Kazakhstan data presented at the Central Asia Digital Aviation 2025 conference in Almaty, Kazakhstan on 22 October 2025
Turkey and Uzbekistan strengthened their positions as the second and third most popular destinations, while China entered the top ten, showing growing demand for East Asian routes
Air Astana expanded its fleet
Kazakhstan’s Air Astana has added a new Airbus A321neo to its fleet, delivered from Hamburg, Germany to its base in Almaty, Kazakhstan on 18 October 2025
The airline now operates 20 Airbus A321 aircraft, including classic, neo and LR versions, planning to expand its total fleet to 63 aircraft by the end of 2025
LOT is set to expand its network with a new route to Kazakhstan
Poland’s flag carrier LOT Polish Airlines will launch direct passenger flights ex Warsaw, Poland to Almaty, Kazakhstan VV on 31 May 2026
Flights will operate up to six times per week using Boeing 737 MAX 8 equipment
Other News
Rail freight between Russia and Central Asia increases by 50%
Rail freight volumes between Russia and Central Asia have grown by nearly 50% over the past three years, according to Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the Russia–Central Asia summit that took place from 8 to 10 October 2025 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Kazakhstan plays a key role as a transit hub linking Asia and Europe, with 11 international corridors handling about 85% of overland freight between the two regions
New cargo route links China and Central Asia
China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan launched a new multimodal cargo route from Kashgar aimed at diversifying transport between Central Asia, China and Europe
Cargo reached Uzbekistan on 21 October 2025 and is expected to reach Turkmenistan on 24 October 2025, strengthening the Middle Corridor and supporting China’s Belt and Road Initiative
More:
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