On May 1, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Khorezm region to assess the region’s development, the quality of life of its residents, and to outline new strategic objectives for the future.
Khorezm’s rich historical and cultural heritage makes the region an attractive destination for tourism. In recent years, economic growth has also led to an increase in business travel. However, the current infrastructure of Urgench International Airport no longer meets the growing needs of residents and visitors. Its limited capacity, no more than 400 passengers per hour, hinders the expansion of air traffic.
As part of the visit, the Head of State was presented with information on the airport modernization project and the plan to transfer its management.
The open tender, announced on August 1, 2024, was held in two stages and attracted eight companies from France, South Korea, Türkiye, Qatar, and other countries. Based on the decision of the interagency tender commission, the winner was declared to be the South Korean company Incheon International Airport Corporation.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting with the leadership of the corporation and project representatives.
The corporation’s president noted that Incheon Airport ranks third in the world regarding passenger capacity and is among the global leaders in service quality. Urgench will become the second airport under the company’s management. He shared plans for the airport’s renovation and efficient operation.
The Head of state expressed satisfaction with the prospect of cooperating with such an advanced company and shared ideas for expanding a mutually beneficial partnership.
“In Khorezm, modern hotels, recreational areas, and shopping centers are being actively developed. We have set a goal to increase tourist arrivals to 5 million people. If the airport meets this scale, it will bring mutual benefit and increased revenues”, the President emphasized.
Discussions also covered attracting additional aircraft in cooperation with foreign airlines and expanding passenger services. The President underscored the importance of adopting South Korea’s experience in service quality and highlighted the need to train and upskill local specialists in this field.
The total cost of the project amounts to $223 million. The plan includes the construction of a new runway, passenger and cargo terminals, the installation of modern lighting and signaling systems in accordance with ICAO standards, and the procurement of specialized equipment.
Construction and renovation works are scheduled to be completed between 2025 and 2027. After modernization, the airport will be capable of accommodating large aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A350. The new terminal will cover a total area of 39,000 square meters, with a projected passenger capacity of up to 1,300 passengers per hour.
Thus, Urgench Airport is set to become one of the most convenient air hubs, enhancing Khorezm’s appeal to international tourists and contributing to the overall development of the country’s aviation sector.
A concept design of the future terminal was also presented. The President gave recommendations on incorporating national elements into both the exterior and interior design of the building.
During his visit, the Head of state also spoke with journalists. He emphasized that the purpose of the trip to Khorezm is to define new development milestones, improve economic indicators, enhance the living conditions of over 2 million residents in the region, create jobs, and raise household incomes.
UzA