On February 22, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed the presentation on plans to revolutionize state-owned enterprises within Uzbekistan's aviation sector. 

In recent years, significant opportunities have been created for the private sector in aviation services.  The number of airlines has surged to 15, among which 10 are privately owned. The acquisition of 28 new aircraft last year alone has resulted in a doubling of flight frequencies in the past seven years. Samarkand Airport has seen a fourfold increase in passenger traffic, reaching one million, since it was handed over to private partnership management.

However, the aviation services sector in Uzbekistan grew by 11.6 percent in 2023. This was below the ambitious targets outlined in the country's strategy to quadruple air traffic by 2030. To achieve it, the annual growth rate in the industry should not be less than 20 percent.

This requires systematic work on infrastructure, management, pricing, and quality. Air ticket prices in Uzbekistan are relatively expensive, and the number of local and international flights is lower than the market demand. Tashkent and Samarkand airports continue to handle the majority of flights. Airports have limited capacity for aircraft and passenger services; additional services account for only 7 percent of their total revenue. Moreover, the transit potential of Tashkent, Navoi, and Namangan airports remains underutilized.

Plans for the current year to accelerate the transformation process and increase service types and income in "Uzbekistan Airways" and "Uzbekistan Airports" joint-stock companies were reviewed during the presentation.  

In particular, obtaining an international credit rating for the national airline and its IPO will begin. The airports of Bukhara, Namangan, Urgench, and Andijan are planned to undergo the process of modernization and privatization. This year, a 20 percent rise in the number of flights is anticipated.

Measures will be taken to reduce costs in the industry by 20 percent. Old aircraft with high fuel consumption will be sold, and modern, fuel-efficient aircraft will be purchased. A significant reduction in fuel consumption is envisaged through optimizing flight routes to 72 destinations. Unused and unprofitable assets will be put up for sale.

Officials are tasked to provide cost-reduction programs to increase the competitiveness of services and accelerate public-private partnership projects. To reach the full potential of Navoi Airport, it was noted to increase additional airport services and develop aircraft maintenance.

Enhancing employee training and the involvement of qualified foreign personnel in state-owned airlines were also highlighted.