TASHKENT, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Uzbekistan's air cargo market has recorded rapid growth, with air freight volume increasing by 182 percent from 2019 to 2024, making the country one of the fastest-growing markets in Central Asia in terms of air cargo volume, a transport ministry official said Wednesday.
Jamoliddin Nazarov, head of the air transport authority at Uzbekistan's Ministry of Transport, announced the figures at the third Central Asia Aviation Cargo Summit held in Tashkent from Wednesday to Thursday.
According to Nazarov, 98,000 tonnes of cargo were handled through Uzbekistan's airports in 2025, while air cargo volume rose by another 33 percent in the first half of 2026.
He attributed the growth to Uzbekistan's strategic location, open skies policy and aviation reforms, which create ample opportunities to transform the country into a regional air cargo hub.
Uzbekistan aims to expand its annual air freight capacity to 300,000 tonnes by 2036 by upgrading airport infrastructure, expanding logistics capabilities and adopting international industry standards, Nazarov added.
