Uzbekistan has selected a consortium of Turkey’s Limak İnşaat Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. and Qatar’s Hamad Bin Khalid Contracting Company W.L.L. as the winner of an international tender to build and operate the New Bukhara international airport. The project will be implemented under a public-private partnership. The tender was announced on March 12, 2026, and was held in two stages — a qualification stage (RFQ) and a request for proposals (RFP). Six international companies advanced to the second stage, and the interdepartmental tender commission made the final decision.
Key Takeaways: The private partner will build and manage a new passenger terminal with capacity of 1,200 passengers per hour, a forecourt, parking and supporting infrastructure. The state partner will be responsible for the construction and management of the airfield complex, including the runway and apron. A public-private partnership agreement is expected to run for 23 years, with up to three years allocated for construction.
The airport is seen as a key infrastructure project for Bukhara’s tourism potential and for accommodating growing visitor flows. According to Uzbekistan Airports, the new facility should help the Bukhara region expand international air connectivity. The PPP model is intended to attract private capital and international operator expertise while keeping the state responsible for airfield infrastructure. The project fits Uzbekistan’s broader priorities of developing transport links and tourism in historic regions.
The selection process began with qualification and continued with the request for proposals. The consortium members have experience in major infrastructure projects. Limak operates Pristina airport in Kosovo and Dakar airport in Senegal, took part in the construction of Istanbul airport and is building the new terminal at Kuwait International Airport. Qatar’s HBK Contracting was the main contractor for Lusail Stadium, which hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup final.
Under the planned structure, the private partner will focus on the passenger terminal and commercial infrastructure, while the state will remain responsible for the airfield complex and technical compliance. This division is common in international airport PPPs and is designed to improve service quality while preserving public control over strategic aviation infrastructure. For the Bukhara region, the project is expected to support a wider route network, a more stable tourism flow and additional opportunities for the local economy.
The next step is to sign the 23-year public-private partnership agreement and prepare for construction. Earlier reports said the new Bukhara airport was planned to be completed by the beginning of September next year. Officials expect the project to expand flight geography, support tourism and create new employment opportunities after completion. Further details on financing, the construction schedule and operating terms are expected as the project moves forward.
Source: podrobno.uz