President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, on a visit to Urgench, toured the airport's new FBO terminal, the presidential press service reported.
Mirziyoyev noted that Khiva and Urgench are increasingly emerging as a global venue for major international summits, high-level meetings, and prestigious economic and cultural forums. He stressed that ensuring a high standard of comfort and security for foreign delegations attending such events directly improves the country's international standing.
A public-private partnership is currently underway to expand and modernize Urgench International Airport, with total investment in the project reaching $264 million. The airport's aging terminals will be replaced by a single, modern complex. South Korea's Incheon International Airport Corporation has been brought on as the private partner, under an agreement signed in Tashkent last October.
Plans call for construction of a new runway, along with new passenger and cargo terminals, the installation of modern lighting and signaling systems compliant with ICAO standards, and the procurement of specialized ground equipment. Construction and renovation work is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. The airport's capacity is projected to grow from 300 to 1,300 passengers per hour. The Korean company is reported to hold management rights over the airport through 2047.
Urgench Airport first opened in 1960 and was granted international status in 1992. The complex spans more than 285 hectares, and around 10 airlines currently operate regular flights through it. So far this year, the airport has generated 126 billion soums in service revenue, up 31% from the same period in 2025.
As part of the broader modernization push, a new rail line and the country's first toll road are also being built to connect the airport with Khiva.
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