The International Air Transport Association (IATA), the world’s leading aviation representative body, have announced they will open a permanent office in Uzbekistan. The organisation will also launch a Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) in the country before the close of 2026.

BSP simplifies transactions between IATA-accredited sales agents and airlines for greater confidence and international connectivity. Rafael Schvartzman, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Europe, said:

Uzbekistan is a growing market that is taking a leading position in Central Asia for passenger and cargo traffic. The IATA office and BSP in Uzbekistan will provide strategic support to grow air travel through boosting aviation safety and operational efficiency. With the opening of our office, IATA experts will be more available to assist airlines and airports to implement global standards in safety and operations.

The aviation market in Uzbekistan is making significant advancements: according to IATA’s own research, it has grown by 150.9% in the past decade. New airports are under construction in Tashkent, Bukhara, and Urgench to accommodate rising passenger numbers. IATA’s presence in the region will be key to helping  airlines and airports pass the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) to ensure passenger safety and trust remains high. The office in Tashkent will be the organisation’s first in Central Asia, joining an international network that includes Beijing, Geneva, Amman, and Miami alongside IATA’s Montreal headquarters.

Central Asia’s potential strategic importance to aviation has been demonstrated by recent geopolitical events. Uzbek airlines continue to fly over Russian airspace, which many other carriers are prohibited from doing due to sanctions imposed on Russia for invading Ukraine. This makes many of their routes across Asia more efficient.

The recent conflict in the Middle East also saw key aviation hubs in the Gulf close as they grappled with strikes and missiles. If it builds its infrastructure right, Tashkent could position itself as an alternative stopover on busy Europe-Asia routes on the scale of Dubai or Doha.

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