Which Passenger Marked the 15 Million Milestone for Uzbekistan Airports at Karshi?

Uzbekistan Airports announced a major passenger milestone on December 22, 2025. The company welcomed its 15 millionth passenger at Karshi International Airport. This achievement underscores the nation's rapid aviation sector growth.

Sarvinoz Burieva was identified as the milestone traveler. She arrived on a Ural Airlines flight U6-2457 from Moscow. Representatives of Uzbekistan Airports greeted her with commemorative gifts. These included a free ticket voucher for the Karshi–Moscow route. Airport Director Uktam Kurbanov called the event a great honor. He noted it confirms the airport's role in developing Uzbekistan air connectivity.

Central Asia Aviation Growth

Reaching 15 million passengers shows strong recovery and expansion. The achievement is a key marker for Uzbekistan Airports passenger milestone. Through October 2025, the country's airports served over 12.6 million travelers. This figure represents a robust 14% increase year-on-year. This growth is part of a larger trend in the region.

Central Asia is the world's fastest-growing aviation market. Capacity has increased by nearly 500% over two decades. Uzbekistan's passenger demand has risen sharply since 2019. This expansion is fueled by liberalization and infrastructure investment. The rise of low-cost carriers (LCCs) also drives this growth. This makes air travel more affordable for the growing mobility of the population.

Airport Infrastructure Modernization

This milestone highlights the success of Uzbekistan Airports development efforts. Modernization is crucial for handling the increased Karshi International Airport traffic. Karshi Airport is actively expanding its facilities. Plans are in place to double the arrivals hall capacity. The terminal capacity will increase from 200 to 400 passengers per hour. The number of check-in desks is also set to increase from three to ten.

Such investments are vital for sustaining the region's growth trajectory. They improve service quality for the 15 millionth passenger Uzbekistan and all travelers. The goal is to solidify Uzbekistan's role as a major regional transit hub. This positive commercial aviation news is a good sign for future development commercial aviation news.

• Key Impacts for Stakeholders:
  • Airports: Validation of investment in airport infrastructure modernization and capacity expansion.
  • Airlines: Increased passenger volume supports expanded route networks. This benefits carriers like Ural Airlines on the Moscow-Karshi flight.
  • Passengers: Improved facilities and greater Uzbekistan air connectivity offer better travel options.