President Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Namangan region on September 16 to review local development and living conditions. The scale of transformation was already evident at the airport, where new modern terminals are being built with $140 mln of investment.
The project, first presented during last year’s presidential visit, is now progressing at speed. Current airport has struggled to cope with rising passenger traffic. A new three-storey terminal will increase capacity by 2.5 times and include modern border control and visa facilities, a business lounge, retail and public areas, medical services and duty-free shops.
Alongside this, a major cargo terminal is under construction with the capacity to handle 50 tonnes of freight daily and support exports to 90 countries. Crucially, this will create a unified cargo system for the Fergana Valley, boosting both export and transit potential.
Namangan alone expects to welcome 1.5 mln foreign and over 2 mln domestic tourists this year, while aiming to raise service exports to $210 mln. Exports from neighbouring Andijan and Fergana are also increasing.
To strengthen operations, the airport’s fleet of specialised equipment is being upgraded to accommodate aircraft of different types. The project also includes a catering facility, fuel station and other infrastructure, with the new terminals scheduled for completion next year.
President Mirziyoyev stressed the need for comprehensive development of the surrounding area. In line with international practice, plans call for modern hotels, shopping and entertainment centres, and a range of support services. Special attention will be given to creating convenient parking and service facilities to ensure maximum comfort for visitors.
Kursiv also reports that Uzbekistan’s Anti-Corruption Agency has annulled the results of a state procurement tender by Uzbekistan Airports for the supply of body cameras.
