Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — In 2024, Samarkand International Airport achieved a record 1.38 million passengers, marking a 37% increase over 2023, which was also a record year.

The most significant growth—43%—was seen in the international travel segment. The peak months were February (+59%), April (+60%), May (+62%), and June (+69%).

A key factor in the growth was the successful cooperation with airlines and the attraction of new partners, strengthening the airport’s position as an important regional transport hub. Over 1.31 million passengers used international flights, with the most popular destinations being Moscow, Istanbul, St. Petersburg, Abu Dhabi, and Jeddah.

The number of takeoff and landing operations also increased by 23% compared to 2023, reaching 11,000. New destinations in 2024 included Xi’an (China), Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt), Turkestan (Kazakhstan), and Russian cities Tyumen, Nizhny Novgorod, and Irkutsk.

The managing company, AIR MARAKANDA, has been actively improving services and expanding offerings. In 2024, the airport introduced:

• Special call buttons for passengers with disabilities
• Free luggage scales
• 24/7 car rental services from Hertz, SIXT, and Europcar
• Additional SIM card sales points, accessory and jewelry stores
• New cafes and patisseries

Air Marakanda plans to open new destinations in 2025, modernize infrastructure, and implement digital services for passenger convenience.