Why is this important
Own code in the ICAO system strengthens the country’s aviation identity, facilitates navigation, and makes flights safer. This is a step towards Uzbekistan’s integration into international air traffic management standards.
What happened
- Starting October 2nd, all airports in the country switched from ICAO codes starting with UT to UZ codes.
- Example: Tashkent Airport changed its code from UTTT to UZTT, Samarkand — from UTSS to UZSS, Bukhara — from UTSB to UZSB.
Unified levels of transition have been established throughout the republic:
- absolute height — 13,000 feet (about 4 km);
- transition echelon — FL150 (15,000 feet).
The Uzaeronavigation Center stated that the changes will increase the safety, efficiency, and environmental friendliness of flights.
What they say
Uzaeronavigation emphasized that the new code makes Uzbekistan’s airspace “more recognizable on the world aviation map.
Context
Until now, Uzbekistan’s airspace has been using the UT code inherited from the Soviet ICAO code system. The change of codes and the introduction of unified transition levels is part of modernizing the national air navigation system. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regularly updates standards for countries implementing new flight control technologies.
