Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev began his visit to the Andijan region by inspecting the ongoing reconstruction of the international airport. According to the presidential press service, the total cost of the project is 1.1 trillion sums. These funds are allocated for a complete overhaul of the infrastructure and the construction of a modern terminal.

The airport was commissioned in 1978 and received international status in 2013. In the first phase, the runway was extended to 3.3 kilometers, and a new 60-meter-wide category 4E runway was built. Taxiways and parking spaces for 10 aircraft were equipped. A cement-concrete coating with a service life of up to 50 years was laid on the runway. A German-made lighting system was installed, allowing landings with visibility down to 300 meters. The airport now accepts wide-body aircraft without restrictions.

The second phase is currently underway. A two-story terminal building with an area of 19,685 square meters is being constructed. Whereas the airport previously served up to 200 passengers per hour, the new terminal will increase this figure fivefold. High-speed Wi-Fi and smart services will be introduced. Currently, seven airlines operate flights. There are plans to increase the number of flights from 808 to 2,500 per year and passenger throughput to 3.5 million.

The president gave instructions to complete construction on time and develop services near the airport. Earlier reports indicated that the new passenger terminal would cost approximately 300–335 billion sums. Construction began in February 2026 and is scheduled for completion by the end of the year. It is worth noting that the significant discrepancy between the initial estimate and the final cost raises questions about the transparency and efficiency of budget spending.

Source: podrobno.uz