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Uzbekistan Air Cargo Notes | 22 May 2025

  • Writer: Nadira Islamova
    Nadira Islamova
  • May 22
  • 3 min read

Updated: May 26



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 SCAT Airlines connecting Kazakhstan and South Korea, Bishkek Airport updating its IATA code and more.



Air Cargo Trends


SCAT Airlines connects Kazakhstan and South Korea


  • SCAT Airlines, Kazakhstan's national airline has launched direct passenger flights ex Shymkent, Kazakhstan to Incheon, South Korea VV on 29 May 2025

  • The airline will operate flights twice a week using Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Boeing 737-800 aircrafts


Significant investments are set to reshape Almaty International Airport


  • Turkish company TAV Holding will invest 362 million US dollars to improve Almaty International Airport in Kazakhstan including runway upgrades, cargo facilities, and a new hotel from 2025 to 2029

  • The project will create 600 new jobs, raise salaries by 25 % and increase capacity to 36 million passengers by 2050


New air corridor connects Kyrgyzstan and China


  • The new air silk road route will connect Central Asia and Western China after Kyrgyzstan and China agreed to open a second air corridor to Kashgar, China in April 2025

  • The project aims to ease congestion in existing air corridors, enhance logistics efficiency, and strengthen trade, tourism, and international aviation integration


UAE company to invest in Kazakhstan's airport development


  • UAE-based Terminals Holding will invest 1.1 billion US dollars to expand Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport in Kazakhstan, with a new runway, terminals, and an Aerotropolis complex under a 25-year agreement

  • The project also includes upgrading ground service equipment, implementing digital and automation systems, and providing certified international-standard training for airport staff


Bishkek airport to update its IATA code


  • Kyrgyzstan's Manas International Airport will change its IATA code from FRU to BSZ to reflect the city’s current name on 9 August 2025

  • The update marks a symbolic break from the Soviet-era name Frunze and follows IATA Resolution 763


Qanot Sharq expands its widebody capacity


  • Uzbekistan’s Qanot Sharq restored two A330-200s aircrafts from Uzbekistan Airways wet lease, resuming operations ex Tashkent to Seoul direct passenger flight on 19 May 2025

  • Now operating three A330s equipments, the airline plans new routes to China and South Korea, while also considering future A350 acquisitions


New international airport will be built in Kyrgyzstan


  • The new Jalal-Abad International Airport will cover 381 hectares and include a two-storey passenger terminal with a capacity of over 350 passengers per hour

  • The airport will meet ICAO 4E standards with a 3,800-meter runway, enabling it to handle both passenger and cargo aircraft, including Boeing 767 and Airbus A330


Singapore considers direct passenger flights to Uzbekistan


  • Singapore’s Changi Airport showed strong interest in launching direct passenger flights to Tashkent to boost tourism and connectivity

  • Both sides agreed to cooperate on logistics, marketing, and regulatory steps needed to start the new route


Somon Air targets german route expansion


  • Somon Air Tajikistan's airline has entered a cooperation agreement with Frankfurt-Hahn Airport in Germany  to strengthen passenger and cargo connectivity

  • The move aligns with the airline’s broader strategy to grow its international network beyond Munich, Germany



Other News

Dawud Ata border post closure extended


  • The Dawud Ata border post between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan remains closed due to ongoing construction works until 1 September 2025

  • Major renovations include building upgrades, installation of metal structures, engineering networks, and road construction in the neutral zone between both checkpoints


Uzbekistan and China boost rail and multimodal transport cooperation


  • Uzbekistan and China agreed to expand multimodal transport corridors and railway routes, including the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway project, during a meeting in Beijing on 8 May 2025

  • Both sides committed to enhancing freight volumes and signed agreements to improve transport corridor efficiency and joint logistics development 


Kazakhstan emerges as strategic hub for China–Europe trade


  • Kazakhstan and China launched a new multimodal transit corridor and key infrastructure projects to boost freight capacity and reduce transit times by the end of 2025

  • Rail and road freight volumes between Kazakhstan and China surged in early 2025, underscoring Kazakhstan’s rising importance as a logistics hub for China-Europe trade


Tajikistan and China explore new transit links to Europe


  • Tajikistan and China discussed developing the multimodal China–Tajikistan–Europe corridor to cut transport costs and boost regional trade on 19 May 2025

  • Talks included upgrading the Kulma–Qarasou checkpoint, modernizing 530 km of roads, and Tajikistan’s involvement in regional rail and EV projects



More:




Thank you for reading! We'll get back to you next Thursday with another edition of Uzbekistan Air Cargo Notes. If you missed a newsletter, check out the other editions of our newsletter.



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