Which Uzbekistan Air Routes Soared in 2025 Passenger Traffic?
Key Points
- 1The Tashkent—Moscow route led international traffic with 1.17 million passengers in 2025.
- 2Tashkent—Urgench was the top domestic route, serving 375,000 passengers, an 18% increase.
- 3The Tashkent—Sharm El-Sheikh tourist route was the fastest-growing, surging by 48% to over 210,000 travelers.
- 4Uzbekistan Airways and Silk Avia were declared dominant players in the domestic market amidst rising competition from new carriers like Centrum Air.
Uzbekistan’s aviation sector experienced strong growth in 2025. Passenger traffic across the country’s airports rose steadily. This growth was fueled by new routes and intensified competition among airlines. Data from UzDaily.uz highlights the most popular domestic and international air routes. The overall market expansion reflects Uzbekistan's push as a key Central Asia transit and tourism hub.
International Route Dominance
The Tashkent Moscow air route remained the clear leader in 2025. This international line transported 1,173,652 passengers. This volume underscores the strong ties and demand between the two nations. The aviation authorities of Uzbekistan and Russia agreed to significantly expand flight quotas in 2025. This move allows for over 1,000 weekly flights between the countries. This agreement is expected to boost future passenger numbers. The second most popular international route was Tashkent—Istanbul—Tashkent. This route carried 983,858 passengers, a 3 percent increase. The Samarkand—Moscow—Samarkand route secured third place. It served 586,149 passengers, an 8 percent rise from the previous year. Other top international destinations included flights from Tashkent to Jeddah, Dubai, Almaty, Seoul, and Saint Petersburg.
Fastest-Growing Tourist Line
The fastest-growing air route in 2025 was the tourist line. The Tashkent—Sharm El-Sheikh—Tashkent route saw a 48 percent passenger traffic rise. It served over 210,000 travelers. This surge highlights the expansion of tourist routes. It also shows the growing demand for leisure travel from Uzbekistan.
Key Uzbekistan Domestic Flights
Domestic air travel also saw significant shifts. The Tashkent Urgench route was the most popular domestic line. It served 375,000 passengers over the year. This represents an 18 percent increase compared to 2024. Uzbekistan Airways operated the majority of these flights. Private carriers Centrum Air and Fly Khiva Group also contributed to the route’s success. The Tashkent—Nukus—Tashkent line was the second busiest. It carried 227,000 passengers in 2025. However, this route saw a 10 percent decline. This drop is linked to flight reductions or suspensions by certain airlines. The Tashkent—Bukhara—Tashkent route was stable. It served 187,000 passengers. Silk Avia contributed to a modest increase in this traffic.
Competition and Market Dynamics
The domestic market is characterized by growing competition. The flagship carrier, Uzbekistan Airways, and Silk Avia were declared dominant players. This designation applies to the domestic market. Silk Avia operates a fleet of ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft. New airlines, including Centrum Air and the recently launched Tashkent Air, are challenging the market. This diverse airline ecosystem aims to increase the availability of air travel. It also supports the development of domestic tourism. Uzbekistan Airports reported a 14% growth in total passenger traffic over the first ten months of 2025. This strong performance indicates a healthy and expanding Central Asia aviation market.
Future Challenges
One emerging challenge is the development of high-speed rail. Uzbekistan Railways plans to launch high-speed electric trains. These will run on the Tashkent—Urgench—Khiva route by 2026. This rail expansion could create future competition. It may impact the growth of key Uzbekistan domestic flights. Stakeholders must monitor the balance between air and rail transport. For more commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights.
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