Samarkand International Airport (SKD), Uzbekistan's second-largest airport, reported a 41% increase in passenger traffic, serving over 1.13mn travelers from January to October this year.
The airport witnessed robust growth during the summer navigation period (April through October), with over 844,000 passengers, marking a 37% increase year-on-year. This growth was fueled by an expanded route network, which saw new and returning flights connecting Samarkand to various domestic and international destinations.
During the high season, Uzbekistan Airways launched direct flights to Nizhny Novgorod and Irkutsk. Air Samarkand, the airport’s base carrier, added Sharm el-Sheikh to its roster, while Silk Avia, a regional carrier, started flights to Fergana. Russian airline Utair introduced flights to Tyumen, adding further options for travelers.
A notable highlight for Samarkand Airport was the launch of direct flights to Xi'an, China, by budget airline Loong Air in June, marking the first connection of its kind in the airport's history.
Additionally, Air Samarkand began flights to Jeddah and Tashkent, while Russia's Ural Airlines introduced a new route to Moscow. Seasonal services also resumed, with Uzbekistan's Qanot Sharq connecting to Tel Aviv and China Southern Airlines offering flights to Urumqi.
As winter approaches, the airport’s management promises further expansion of its route network, although specific details have yet to be announced.
Uzbekistan's second-largest airport, Samarkand, sees 43% passenger surge in 9M24
— Daryo | Central Asia & Afghanistan (@DaryoEng) October 8, 2024
International travel saw over 975,000 passengers, with routes to Moscow, Istanbul, St. Petersburg, Abu Dhabi, and Jeddah accounting for 780,000, or 76% of total traffic.
👉Details —… pic.twitter.com/xp0A573xDF
In August, Samarkand International Airport achieved recognition as the second fastest-growing airport in Europe and Central Asia over the past five years, highlighting a significant milestone in its recovery and expansion following the Covid-19 pandemic.
The airport has seen uninterrupted passenger growth for 22 consecutive months. Classified as a medium-sized airport, with annual traffic between one and ten million passengers, SKD has also secured a place among the top 10 regional airports in Central Asia, as ranked by the World Airport Awards.
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