Uzbekistan showed the highest growth in air cargo transportation in Central Asia between 2019 and 2024. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the country's air cargo volume increased by 182%, which was the best result in the region.

Overall, the Central Asian air cargo market more than doubled during this period. Meanwhile, global hubs showed a less dynamic picture: volumes in Hong Kong remained relatively stable, and Frankfurt – one of Europe's largest hubs – recorded a decrease of about 5%.

Kazakhstan maintains absolute leadership in terms of volume, where total inbound, outbound, and transit cargo flows increased by 149% compared to 2019. Uzbekistan, showing a growth of 182%, surpassed Kyrgyzstan and strengthened its position in regional logistics.

The key growth driver remains the transit model: a significant portion of goods passes through airports without customs clearance, similar to technical stops at international hubs. The share of such transit increased from approximately 59% to 65% of the total transportation volume in the region.

At the same time, direct international cargo flows also significantly increased, especially in 2024. IATA analysts note that the region is gradually moving beyond its transit function and transforming into a full-fledged logistics hub between Europe and China amid the redistribution of global aviation routes.