President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has reviewed the construction of a new passenger terminal at Namangan International Airport, a $175mn project expected to significantly expand the airport's capacity and strengthen transport connectivity in eastern Uzbekistan.
The airport modernization is being implemented as part of the country's broader efforts to upgrade transport infrastructure and develop public-private partnerships in the aviation sector.
Namangan International Airport, which began operations in 1971 and has held international status since 2013, currently serves regular flights operated by nine airlines.
Under the project, a new three-story passenger terminal covering 22,600 square meters will be commissioned by the end of 2026. The facility will be capable of serving 1,200 passengers per hour and more than 3mn passengers annually, increasing the airport's current capacity severalfold.
The terminal will include border and customs control facilities, visa services, a business lounge, retail and dining outlets, a medical center, and a duty-free zone. The project is also expected to create 550 new jobs.
In addition to the passenger terminal, plans call for the launch of a cargo terminal with a daily handling capacity of 50 tons by the end of 2027.
The facility is expected to form the Fergana Valley's first unified modern cargo system, expanding opportunities to export regional products to 90 countries worldwide.
During the visit, Mirziyoyev reviewed the progress of construction works and issued instructions aimed at further improving airport infrastructure and ensuring the timely implementation of the project.
Additional information
The Namangan airport expansion forms part of Uzbekistan's broader strategy to modernize its aviation sector and increase regional connectivity. The project is being implemented under a presidential decree adopted in March 2021 on the development of public-private partnerships in airport management.
The government has also been pursuing major aviation infrastructure projects across the country, including plans to construct a new international airport in Tashkent under a public-private partnership model to accommodate growing passenger traffic and strengthen Uzbekistan's role as a regional transport hub.
