Uzbekistan Air Cargo Notes | 20 November 2025
- Nadira Islamova
- Nov 20
- 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 a private Uzbek airline’s first flights to London, Uzbekistan’s major railway expansion plans and more.
Air Cargo Trends
Qanot Sharq to launch London flights
Uzbek private airline Qanot Sharq is set to operate direct passenger flights ex Tashkent, Uzbekistan to London, UK VV starting on 15 December 2025
Flights will operate twice a week using Airbus A321XLR equipment
SCAT Airlines set to launch seasonal passenger flights to China
Kazakh privately held airline SCAT Airlines is set to launch seasonal passenger flights ex Prague, Czech Republic to Sanya, China VV on 21 December 2025 with a technical stop in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Flights will operate once a week using Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft
Uzbek government airport welcomes first VIP flights
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Kemeluly Tokayev arrived marking the first foreign leader visit to the newly upgraded government airport in Tashkent on 14 November 2025
Constructed for official and business flights Tashkent-Khumo the government and business aviation airport features 4,000m runway, VIP/CIP terminals and aims to ease congestion at Tashkent International Airport
SCAT Airlines expanded its fleet with new aircrafts
Kazakhstan’s privately held SCAT Airlines received a new Boeing 737MAX-8, bringing its 737MAX narrowbody fleet to 12 aircraft based at Shymkent Airport on 13 November 2025
The aircraft will support the airline’s growing international network and future fleet expansion plans
Uzbekistan Airways is set to lease six new aircrafts
Uzbekistan Airways signed agreements with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Aviation Leasing and China Aircraft Leasing Company for six Airbus A321neo aircraft arriving in 2027–2028
The aircraft will expand Uzbekistan Airways’ narrowbody fleet and feature modern cabins with in-flight entertainment and Wi-Fi
Centrum Air to expand fleet with new leased aircraft
Uzbekistan’s largest private carrier Centrum Air will lease five new Airbus A320neo family aircraft from Irish aircraft leasing company Avolon scheduled for delivery in 2027
The aircraft will support the airline’s route expansion and growth plans, adding to its current fleet of 13 Airbus aircraft and over 40 domestic and international destinations
Uzbekistan orders Airbus Flexrotor drones
Uzbekistan has signed a contract to buy Flexrotor drones from Airbus Helicopters via Uztekhtrade in the UAE
The drones can fly up to 14 hours, they are highly maneuverable and will be used for reconnaissance and observation together with the country’s existing Eurocopter helicopters
New airport is under construction in Kyrgyzstan
New Jalal-Abad Airport is being built in Suzak district, covering 381 hectares, with 3,800-meter runway, two taxiways and six aircraft stands
Three-story passenger terminal will cover 18,000 m² and handle up to 350 passengers per hour, the airport will meet ICAO 4E standards for medium- and long-haul aircrafts
Other News
Uzbekistan sees growth in rail freight traffic
In the first nine months of 2025, Uzbekistan’s railways transported 79.7 million tonnes of cargo, up 4.9% compared to the same period in 2024
This represents an increase of 3.72 million tonnes, reflecting steady growth in the country’s freight rail sector
Uzbekistan plans major railway expansion by 2030
Uzbekistan aims to double passenger and cargo rail transport by 2030 building 151 km of new lines, electrifying 182 km of existing tracks, modernizing 27 stations and upgrading 1,000 km of railway
The plan includes purchasing 38 mainline and 50 shunting locomotives from China, 250 modern passenger cars, 23 electric trains and launching new suburban and long-distance routes to improve travel times and connectivity
More:
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