Uzbekistan has unveiled plans to upgrade its airport infrastructure significantly.
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in the ground-breaking ceremony on October 16, 2025, marking the start of construction of a new $2.5 billion airport near the country’s capital.
The New Tashkent International Airport will be built by an international consortium consisting of Vision Invest of Saudi Arabia, the Sojitz Corporation, of Japan, and Incheon International Airport Corporation (operator of the largest airport in South Korea). Once operational, it will be capable of handling up to 20 million passengers and 129,000 tons of cargo per year.
The new airport will have 14 jet bridges and be able to handle up to 30 takeoffs and landings per hour. It will also be connected to several major trunk highways as well as to the country’s rail network, so that it can become a multi-modal transportation hub.
This greenfield facility will be built according to the latest principles in efficient and sustainable design and will be able to work entirely on renewable energy.
The new Silk Road
In 2018, Uzbekistan started a process of liberalization of its aviation and tourism industries that has led to significant growth, in the number of both foreign visitors and airline passengers.
According to data provided by the Uzbek government, since this process started 15 new air operators have launched in the country, bringing the commercial fleet past the 100-aircraft mark. Likewise, a significant number of foreign airlines have also flocked to the country, including low-cost carriers from the Middle East, India and East Asia.
In addition, the number of foreign arrivals has more than tripled to around 10 million visitors in 2024, a figure that is expected to reach 15 million by the end of this decade.
Most of these visitors arrive at the current Tashkent International Airport (TAS), which was designed to handle only up to 11 million passengers and is constrained by its location in the middle of a built-up area.
Building upon this success, Uzbekistan now aims to leverage its geographical position, at the very center of the Eurasian landmass, to become a transit point for passengers and cargo traveling between continents.
Earlier in 2025, Uzbekistan completed the rebuilding and expansion of Tashkent East (ICAO code UTTP), another airport serving the country’s capital, on the grounds of the former Soviet-built aircraft manufacturing plant.
That airport, at least for now, will be dedicated to executive aviation and cargo, but in the future it may provide service to the Uzbek capital’s projected new eastern suburbs.
Korean investment for Urgench airport
On October 15, 2025, Incheon International Airport Corporation also signed an agreement with the Uzbek authorities to modernize, expand and manage Urgench International Airport (UGC) under a public-private partnership (PPP).
As per the terms of tender, which the South Korean company won in April 2025, Incheon International Airport Corporation will build and manage new passenger and cargo terminals and run them for a period of 19 years, the operation of ground handling services also being included in the deal.
Located in southwestern Uzbekistan, Urgench International Airport handled around 600,000 passengers during 2024. This number is also expected to increase, since it is the gateway to Khiva, one of the main cities on the Ancient Silk Road. This historical route has become increasingly popular with international tourists in the last few years, and it is marketed as one of the top attractions in the Central Asian nation.
