Uzbekistan Airports, Urgench International Airport, and Incheon International Airport Corporation (South Korea) signed a public-private partnership agreement in Tashkent for the Urgench Airport modernization and management Wednesday, the Uzbekistan Airports said in a statement.
The signing ceremony was attended by the CEO of Uzbekistan Airports Javlonbek Umarkhodjaev, the President of Incheon International Airport Corporation Lee Hak-jae, and the Director of Urgench Airport Oybek Matkarimov. The event was chaired by the Minister of Transport Ilkhom Makhkamov,.
The agreement provides for the joint implementation of the Urgench Airport modernization and management project. The private partner will be responsible for the construction and management of the passenger and cargo terminals, including ground handling. The public partner will continue to be responsible for the construction and management of the airfield complex (runway and apron).
"Cooperation with Incheon International Airport Corporation opens a new chapter in the development of Uzbekistan's airport infrastructure. "Our South Korean partners’ experience in managing one of the world's best airports will provide a solid foundation for implementing advanced technologies, improving passenger service quality, and strengthening our country's transit potential," Zhavlonbek Umarkhodjaev underscored.
The tender for the project, using the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, was announced on August 1, 2024. In April of this year,:, the company that manages Incheon Airport (Seoul). Incheon International Airport Corporation was awarded the project. Eight companies bid in the tender, including those from France, Turkey, Qatar, and other countries.
In May, when the reconstruction project was presented to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, it was reported that the project cost would stand at $223 million. The Korean company plans to invest $115 million. It will manage the airport until 2047.
The project includes the construction of a new runway, passenger and cargo terminals, the installation of modern lighting systems in accordance with ICAO standards, and the procurement of specialized equipment. Construction and renovation work is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027. The new terminal on 39,000 sqm. will get get 1,300 passengers per hour throughput capacity.
