Samarkand International Airport growth continued in the first three quarters of 2024 - exceeds one million passengers with 43% growth

Samarkand International Airport handled more than one million passengers in the first nine months of 2024, a rise of 43% or 308,000 customers than in the same period last year. 

This figure exceeded number of passengers handled in the whole of 2023, when the airport passed the 1 million mark for a first-ever time, serving a total of 1,010,938 passengers. The latest figures cement Samarkand’s position as the second fastest-growing airport in Europe and Central Asia. 

Air Marakanda, the airport’s ground handling and management company, says the positive growth in passenger traffic is due to an increase in the number of flights from new and existing carriers, delivering a further increase in the routes served from the airport. 

Dmitry Martynenko, Commercial Director of Air Marakanda, says: “We have now achieved 24 consecutive months of passenger growth in domestic and international travel, underlining the pent-up potential demand that exists for air travel to and from our incredible ancient city of Samarkand.”

Samarkand is the second fastest growing airport since Covid in Europe and Central Asia

Samarkand International Airport (SKD) is the second fastest growing airport in Europe and Central Asia in the last five years and has just recorded its 22nd consecutive monthly increase in passenger numbers. 

New data released by the European airport industry organisation ACI Europe, show that SKD has grown passenger volumes by 191.6%% since the equivalent pre-Covid pandemic figures of 2019. This represents the second largest growth of any airport measured by ACI Europe, which represents over 500 airports in 55 countries. This was way ahead of the 9% average growth recorded between 2019-2024 across its airports in European / Central Asia, according to ACI Europe, whose airports stretch across Europe plus Albania, Armenia, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Georgia, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. 

SKD has also revealed that July was its 22nd consecutive month of growth since October 2022, as volumes grew to 121,157 for the month, from 80,539 in 2023. This came after a record 647,085 passengers passed through the airport in the first six months of the year, up by 47% on the 2023 figure, with an additional 207,421 passengers using the new airport facility that acts as a gateway to Uzbekistan’s ancient and fast-growing city in the heart of the famous Silk Road. Average growth across the wider European region was just 5.8% in H1 when compared to 2023, says ACI Europe. 

Dmitry Martynenko, Commercial Director of Air Marakanda, says: “We have now achieved 22 consecutive months of passenger growth, driven by demand for domestic and international travel from Samarkand and the surrounding area, and by overseas carriers increasing the number of visitors to our incredible ancient city of Samarkand. Air Marakanda will continue to grow the route network and passenger numbers at Samarkand International Airport over the summer and for the remainder of 2024, as airlines increase capacity and open new city connections with Samarkand.”

Passenger traffic at Samarkand airport hits another historic high

Samarkand International Airport has continued its sustained growth at the beginning of 2024, with a record number of 647,085 passengers passing through the airport in the first six months of the year. 

47% growth in passenger numbers in the first six months of 2024

21 consecutive monthly increases in passengers, since October 2022

This was 47% more than the number recorded in 2023, with an additional 207,421 passengers using the new airport facility that acts as a gateway to Uzbekistan’s ancient and fast growing city in the heart of the famous Silk Road. 

Samarkand airport management company Air Marakanda has driven a doubling of passenger numbers in each of the past two years, with more than one million passengers using the new, state-of-the-art airport terminal for a first time in 2023. The total of 1,010,938 passengers beat the 2022 record, of 517,521, by 104.9% and this growth shows no sign of slowing. In fact, the number of passengers using the airport has increased over 21 consecutive months, since October 2022. 

Bakhtiyor Fazilov, the main shareholder of Air Marakanda, said: "The company’s main goal is to make Samarkand and Uzbekistan even more attractive to tourists by meeting international standards for air transportation services. The strong growth in passenger traffic demonstrates our success in achieving this goal. Air Marakanda will continue providing excellent service for all passengers, in order to make Samarkand International Airport the preferred choice for all travellers seeking to visit the ancient, and eternally young, city of Samarkand.” 

Air Marakanda CEO Ulugbek Shamsikulov said: “We continue to attract more airlines and increased frequency from existing carriers to meet the demand from international passengers wanting to visit our historic city. The opening of our new terminal at the beginning of 2022, together with other major investments in our city, including the Silk Road Samarkand tourist centre and other 21st century infrastructure, will continue to attract a growing number of tourists and business travellers. Samarkand International Airport is playing a pivotal part in the growth and success of Samarkand.” 

New Direct Flights to Xi'an in China from Samarkand International Airport, Uzbekistan.

A new direct service to Xi'an, the administrative centre of Shaanxi Province (China), has been launched from Samarkand International Airport.

 

The first flight, operated by Loong Air, landed at Samarkand at 12:08 local time yesterday (Sunday), and was given a traditional water cannon welcome upon arrival on the taxiway. Passengers, who included a delegation of airline executives, tour operators and representatives of the Chinese media, were also greeted with a traditional Uzbek welcome of karnaya and surnaya folk music.

 

Upon landing, the captain of the Airbus A320 aircraft, together with Lu Hongkun, General Director of Loong Air, Ulugbek Shamsikulov, General Director of Air Marakanda, Dmitry Martynenko. Air Marakanda’s Commercial Director, and Rustam Kobilov, Deputy Khokim of the Samarkand region responsible for tourism, culture, cultural heritage and mass communications, together cut a ribbon to mark the start of the Xi'an-Samarkand- Xi'an service.

A thematic photo zone in the new Samarkand airport terminal was set up for the newly arrived passengers and guests, alongside an Uzbek-style tea ceremony providing national treats, and an area for calligraphic inscriptions in Farsi, made on locally produced Samarkand mulberry paper.

 

Welcome speeches were given by management of Air Marakanda, the airport management company for Samarkand International Airport, by executives from Loong Air, as well as the Deputy Khokim Kobilov.

 

Mr. Shamsikulov said: “The opening of direct flights to Xi'an will have a positive impact on both the cultural and economic development linking our countries, as we begin to build the tourism potential of both cities.”

 

Flights on this route will be operated twice a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays, with an Airbus 320 aircraft designed to carry 174 passengers.

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Uzbekistan airport operator Air Marakanda announces new CEO

Air Marakanda, which manages Samarkand International Airport (SKD), has named Ulugbek Shamsikulov as its new Chief Executive Officer.  He replaces Anton Khojayan, who is moving to a new position in a state project.

Mr Shamsikulov said: “Under his excellent leadership, Anton has made a significant contribution to the development and modernisation of SKD, including the construction of our stunning new state-of-the-art terminal facility. We wish him every success moving forward.  I look forward to continuing the strategic vision to continue the growth of our airport’s route network and improvement in the quality of service enjoyed by passengers.”

Mr Shamsikulov brings three decades of aviation industry experience, after beginning his professional career as an engineer in Samarkand Airport’s Department of Development and Foreign Economic Relations. Having been promoted through a number of key posts, in 2013 he became a director of the airport, before departing in 2017. He returned a year later to the airport's emergency services and more recently has led the airport's airside ground operations.

The first major airport project in Uzbekistan to be built in a public-private partnership, Samarkand’s international terminal opened in early 2022, and doubled passenger numbers in each of its first two years. One million passengers used the airport for the first time in 2023.

SKD has already enjoyed continuing growth at the start of 2024, with 294,000 passengers using the ultra-modern airport terminal in the first three months of the calendar year, an increase of 39% on the same period of 2023. This helped SKD to report 55% growth in passenger numbers during the autumn-winter period (AWP) season, with 491,000 passengers using the terminal between 29 October 2023 and 30 March 2024. 

Air Samarkand Receives Air Operator Certificate (AOC)

Carrier readies services from the country's second city

Air Samarkand has moved nearer to the launch of charter flights and scheduled services after receiving its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Uzbekistan Ministry of Transport's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

The announcement confirms the airline's compliance with the requirements of the country's aviation legislation and with international standards and requirements for flight safety under the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation. It follows a thorough audit of the airline's technical documentation, equipment and aircraft systems, preparation for flights, as well as the qualifications of flight and ground personnel by inspectors of the Uzbekistan Ministry of Transport.

Anton Khojayan, CEO of Air Samarkand, said:  "We thank the Ministry for Transport and the UzAviation Agency for their thorough assessment of our preparation for flights. Air Samarkand is now a further step nearer to the commencement of services from this incredible, historic city of Samarkand. Everything is now ready for this."

The airline has also officially received its own 'UZS' code from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), as well as the radio call sign 'Samarkand'.

Samarkand International Airport welcomes millionth passenger as traffic doubles in a year

Air Marakanda, the management company operating Samarkand International Airport, announced in December the doubling of passenger traffic for the year, compared with 495,000 passengers in 2022, and welcomed its one-millionth passenger. 

The milestone not only represents the booming tourism appeal of Uzbekistan's second city, but also highlights the successful growth strategy being pursued by the company.

The record-breaking passenger was Tajikistan resident Mr Dilshod Rakhimov, who flew to Abu Dhabi on Wizz Air flight 5W7164.

To celebrate the event, Dmitry Martynenko, Air Marakanda's Commercial Director, presented the millionth passenger with souvenirs and a voucher for the airport's VIP lounge. Wizz Air also congratulated the passenger and presented him with a voucher covering the cost of a flight to Abu Dhabi.

Anton Khojayan, CEO of Air Marakanda, said: "Serving our first millionth passenger has capped off a landmark year for our company. We opened new destinations in cooperation with partner airlines, increased the frequency of flights of existing air carriers, and developed Samarkand's airport infrastructure - all of which led us to the cherished figure of one million. We are especially pleased today to congratulate a record-breaking passenger and end the year with a celebration. We are eager to push our growth trajectory even higher, and I am confident that next year we will achieve even better results."

China Southern Airlines starts service between Urumqi and Samarkand

Direct flights between Samarkand and Urumqi have been initiated between Air Marakanda, operator of Samarkand International Airport, and China Southern Airlines, China’s largest air carrier. 

An opening ceremony, attended by the management of Air Marakanda and China Southern Airlines, took place at the terminal of Samarkand International Airport, where passengers enjoyed a thematic photo zone, a tea ceremony with sweet treats and Samarkand mulberry paper adorned with Chinese calligraphic inscriptions. According to tradition, a water arch greeted the arrival of the flight at the airfield of Samarkand Airport, and the first passengers arriving from China enjoyed the sounds of karnaya and harsh played by local musicians.

 

At a press conference featuring Air Marakanda CEO of Anton Khodzhayan, Commercial Director Artem Pak, Head of the Samarkand regional branch of the Civil Service Development Agency Rustam Kobilov and General Director of China Southern Airlines’ office in Tashkent Shen Yi, the participants noted the great potential of flights between Samarkand and Urumqi.

 

Anton Khodjayan, Air Marakanda’s CEO, said:  “We are pleased to welcome China Southern Airlines, whose direct flights between the ancient city of Samarkand and Urumqi mark a major new step for Uzbekistan aviation and tourism. China Southern Airlines’ new Urumqi link will expand the opportunities for both direct flights between Uzbekistan and China, and for new international connections via the vast connection network of Western China’s largest city.”

 

Shen Yi, General Director of China Southern Airlines’ office in Tashkent, added:  “We see many more prospects for development in the field of tourism and trade between the two states and in the spirit of reviving the Great Silk Road, founded many centuries ago, China Southern has plans to open even more new routes between China and Samarkand in the near future.”

 

Air Marakanda to launch direct flights between Samarkand and Dubai

 Air Marakanda, the operator of Samarkand Airport, announces the launch of a new route from Samarkand – with flydubai, the Emirati government owned low-cost airline.

The twice-weekly service will connect the historic Silk Road city of Samarkand, and the UAE’s largest city, Dubai. The service will launch on September 20.

The service is the 12th and latest route to be announced from the newly expanded and redesigned Samarkand International Airport, with further, new route announcements scheduled for the following weeks and months.

Gairat Nematov, CEO of Air Marakanda, said:   “We are delighted to welcome flydubai to Samarkand, and connect the UAE to the history and heritage of our Silk Road city and region. The UAE is an important trade and cultural link for Uzbekistan, and we are proud to play our part in cementing and extending these links.

Today’s announcement is just the latest in Samarkand Airport’s expansion and redevelopment. We expect to announce many more routes very soon, regionally and internationally - to match the demand we are witnessing to visit Uzbekistan’s leading tourist area.”