The International Air Transport Association (IATA) believes that Uzbekistan needs a unified national strategy for the development of the aviation industry. According to Raphael Schwartzman, the organization's Regional Vice President for Europe, the country's market is growing rapidly in both passenger and cargo segments, but without long-term government planning, such growth could be unstable.
The expert noted that the authorities need to prioritize the development of the airport network and prepare an industry master plan. In his opinion, cities with high tourism potential, such as Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, need better domestic air connectivity, but it is impossible to modernize all airports simultaneously. In addition, IATA expressed concern about the increasing frequency of airline bankruptcies and flight delays. The organization proposes making the IOSA safety audit a mandatory condition for obtaining the right to operate flights.
Special attention is paid to cargo transportation. IATA believes that after 2022, some international cargo flows shifted towards Central Asia, which opened new opportunities for the region. The cargo terminal in Navoi was named as one of Uzbekistan's key assets, capable of becoming an important cargo hub. According to experts, for further growth, it is also necessary to improve regulation in the field of ground handling and airport fuel supply, as these factors directly affect the costs of air carriers and the competitiveness of the industry.
