Why is this important
The transition of “Uzaviation” to self-sufficiency is a harsh signal about the commercialization of the industry. The agency should earn from services, not subsidies. An increase to 24 million passengers per year (currently around 10-12 million) will require doubling the capacity of airports, expanding the fleet, and international routes. This will create competition and reduce ticket prices.
What happened
- Mirziyoyev issued a decree on streamlining state policy in civil aviation;
- Target by 2030: 180 aircraft in the fleet of local airlines;
- 200 thousand trips per year (internal and international);
- 24 million passengers per year;
- From January 2026, Uzaviation is deprived of budget subsidies;
- The deduction of 20% of Uzaeronavigation’s profit to the Agency’s Development Fund is canceled.
Target indicators until 2030
- Fleet: 180 aircraft from local airlines;
- Flights: 200 thousand per year (internal and international);
- Passengers: 24 million per year.
For comparison: in 2024, Uzbek airlines transported about 10-12 million passengers. Growth to 24 million means doubling the indicator in five years.
Uzaviation self-sufficiency
From January 2026, the allocation of funds from the state budget for the maintenance of the Civil Aviation Agency (Uzaviation) is terminated. The Agency must finance itself through:
- Fees and payments from airlines (for licenses, certification, supervision);
- Airport rental payments;
- Aeronautical and technical services.
The allocation of 20% of the net profit of the Uzaeronavigation center to the Agency’s Development Fund is also canceled. This means that Uzaeronavigation will retain all profits for its own development.
Context
Uzbekistan is actively developing the aviation industry: it is building new airports (Samarkand, Bukhara), modernizing old ones (Tashkent), and attracting international airlines. The goal is to turn the country into an aviation hub of Central Asia.
180 aircraft by 2030 is an ambitious goal. Now Uzbek airlines have about 60-70 aircraft. The triplication of the fleet will require large-scale investments in the purchase or lease of aircraft. Main players: Uzbekistan Airways, Qanot Sharq, Silk Avia.
200 thousand trips a year — a significant increase from the current 80-100 thousand trips. This requires expanding international routes (Europe, Asia, Middle East) and increasing the frequency of domestic flights.
24 million passengers per year — double the current figure. For comparison: Kazakhstan carries about 30 million passengers a year, Turkey — 200 million. The increase in passenger traffic will require the modernization of airports, improvement of service, and a reduction in ticket prices.
Uzaviation self-sufficiency is the transition from a subsidized model to a commercial one. This is a common practice in developed countries where aviation regulators are financed from industry fees, not from the budget. However, this creates a risk: if the income is insufficient, the quality of supervision may decrease.
The cancellation of Uzaeronavigation contributions means that the aeronavigation center will retain all profits for equipment modernization and personnel training. This will increase efficiency, but will deprive “Uzaviation” of an additional source of income.
The transition to self-sufficiency from January 2026 is only two months away. Uzaviation will have to quickly restructure its business model and find sources of income to cover the costs of maintaining the aircraft, supervision, and regulation.
