Uzbekistan Goes from Strength to Strength
Montreal, Canada, December 15, 2025 / TRAVELINDEX / IATA has released the Value of Air Transport Study for Uzbekistan, highlighting that the country’s continued focus on aviation has resulted in growing benefits in terms of jobs and economic activity.
In Uzbekistan, 12,400 people are directly employed in aviation, generating USD 96.5 million in economic output, equal to 0.1% of total GDP.
Additional benefits are generated by the wider supply chain, employee spending, and tourism activities, contributing a total of USD 795.5 million, or 0.9%, to GDP and supporting 128,000 jobs.
“Uzbekistan’s continued investment in new airport infrastructure, safety improvements, and in people have played a key role in supporting a resilient and robust aviation sector, strengthening the burgeoning tourism industry and foreign direct investment in the country,” said Rafael Schvartzman, IATA Regional Vice President for Europe.
“It is also key to developing the country’s attractiveness as a future east-west transit hub for both passengers and cargo.”
Tourism directly supported by aviation contributes USD 282.9 million to the country’s GDP, while international tourists to Uzbekistan are estimated to contribute USD 2 billion annually to the wider economy through the purchase of goods and services from local businesses.
Uzbekistan has also played a growing role as a transit point for air cargo. IATA’s report shows that 66,600 tonnes of air cargo were transported through airports in Uzbekistan in 2023.
With the opening of a dedicated cargo terminal at Tashkent Airport earlier this year and continued growth at Navoi’s dedicated cargo airport, further growth in cargo volumes is expected.
The country’s location in the heart of Central Asia offers strategic connectivity not just for neighboring states but also a link between Asia, the Caucasus, and Europe.
IATA said this strategic location will drive not only greater investment in aviation infrastructure and employment but also spill over into the wider economy through tourism, trade, and foreign direct investment.
According to the organization, policymakers should consider four key priorities—global standards, infrastructure, SAF production and energy transition, and investments in people for Uzbekistan’s aviation sector that would support its growth and attractiveness as a regional hub.