With more flights coming into and out of Central Asia, Uzbekistan will start sourcing fuel from Georgia and Iraq to help the country’s airlines seize on the growing passenger traffic.
Demand for aviation kerosene is expected to reach 375,000 tonnes in the second half of 2026, up 27% from the same period last year, according to figures presented on Monday to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
A twin-engine passenger jet like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner can take up to 127 tonnes of fuel, meaning this volume could power more than 2,900 long-haul flights.
Industry officials said domestic refineries will cover most of the increase, while imports from Georgia, Iraq and other vendors will fill the remaining gap, according to the presidential press service.
Energy sector expansion
The state oil and gas company Uzbekneftegaz plans to produce approximately 1.18 million tonnes of synthetic goods along with 1.1 million tonnes of gasoline, 983,000 tonnes of diesel, 310,000 tonnes of aviation kerosene, and 606,000 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas by the end of 2026.
Additionally, the president received a $38 million investment project to modernise the state-owned geophysical company Uzbekgeofizika. The project entails building a seismic data processing centre with US oilfield service provider Schlumberger, acquiring new 3D seismic survey technology, and upgrading well-logging equipment.
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