“The path from the Fergana Valley to other regions of our country lies through the pass, and trains are not available in all directions. Therefore, life itself dictates the need to improve the airport’s infrastructure, which will provide a powerful incentive for the development of business, transport services and tourism,” the presidential press service said in a statement.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at a meeting in Namangan on the same day, noted that now industrial and fruit and vegetable products from the Namangan region are exported through Tashkent or Andijan region, which is why production costs are rising.

The capacity of the passenger terminal is planned to be increased to 1000 people per hour. Last September, the reconstructed arrival terminal of Namangan Airport was opened. The passenger service area increased from 720 to 1756 sq. m. It was reported that capacity increased 3 times – from 100 to 300 passengers per hour. At the same time, the start of reconstruction of the departure terminal was announced.

To strengthen the potential of the region in the areas of business, export and transit, it is planned to build a cargo terminal on empty areas, catering and fuel refueling complexes, as well as other utility buildings.

The project also provides for updating the fleet of special equipment, which will allow receiving and servicing aircraft of any type.

The President emphasized the need to increase the number of local and international flights. One of the main tasks should be to ensure the affordability of tickets, he said.

It should be recalled that in April 2022, as part of the strategy for the development of airports in Uzbekistan until 2035, the president was presented with two scenarios for the development of airports in the Fergana Valley. Former chairman of the board of Uzbekistan Airports Rano Jurayeva noted that the first scenario provided for the reconstruction of existing airports. According to the second scenario, instead of three “lightly loaded” international airports operating in a 100-kilometer zone, it was proposed to create a single airport for the Fergana Valley.

Rano Jurayeva noted that the disadvantages of the existing airports in the regional centers of the Fergana Valley (Namangan, Andijan, Fergana) are that they are located within the city, have an approach only from one side and a limited capacity of the runways – six aircraft per hour.

Recently, after reconstruction, another airport in the valley was opened – in Kokand, which has regional status. It should begin full operation on April 1. The air harbor has been closed to civil aircraft since 2001 and was used only by the Air Force.