IATA Strengthens Aviation Support in Uzbekistan with Local Office and Financial System Rollout

IATA Strengthens Aviation Support in Uzbekistan with Local Office and Financial System Rollout

(IN SHORT) IATA is opening a new office in Tashkent and introducing its Billing and Settlement Plan in Uzbekistan to support the country’s growing aviation sector. The move aims to enhance operational efficiency, improve safety standards, and facilitate global financial transactions for airlines. Uzbekistan is emerging as a key regional hub with strong growth potential, supported by infrastructure development and increasing passenger demand. The initiative reflects IATA’s commitment to helping the country expand its connectivity and strengthen its role in international aviation.

(PRESS RELEASE) TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, 2026-Apr-21 — /Travel PR News/ — International Air Transport Association has announced plans to establish a permanent presence in Tashkent with the opening of a new office, alongside the introduction of its Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) in the country before the end of 2026. The move reflects Uzbekistan’s growing importance within Central Asia’s aviation landscape.

The new office is expected to strengthen IATA’s ability to support airlines and airports locally, particularly in implementing global standards for safety, operations, and efficiency. By expanding its footprint in the region, IATA aims to contribute to the continued development of Uzbekistan’s aviation sector, which has been experiencing steady growth in both passenger and cargo traffic.

Rafael Schvartzman, Regional Vice President for Europe at IATA, emphasized that Uzbekistan is emerging as a key aviation market in Central Asia. He noted that the presence of IATA experts on the ground will help enhance operational standards and support the country’s ambitions to expand connectivity and improve overall industry performance.

A central component of the initiative is the rollout of the BSP system, which is designed to streamline financial transactions between airlines and travel agents. By enabling efficient global ticket sales processing and financial management, the BSP provides airlines with greater flexibility and confidence in managing their commercial operations, ultimately supporting growth in international connectivity.

Uzbekistan is positioning itself as a regional aviation hub, leveraging its geographic location to connect Asia, Europe, and neighboring markets. Forecasts indicate steady long-term growth in passenger demand, slightly exceeding global averages, highlighting the country’s potential as a strategic transit point.

To fully realize this potential, several development priorities have been identified. These include aligning with international safety standards such as the IATA Operational Safety Audit, expanding airport infrastructure in key cities including Tashkent, Bukhara, and Urgench, and advancing sustainable aviation initiatives. In particular, the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) aligned with global standards is seen as an opportunity to support both environmental goals and future export potential.

Aviation already plays a meaningful role in Uzbekistan’s economy, contributing to employment, tourism, and trade. The sector supports thousands of jobs directly and indirectly, while also facilitating significant economic activity through international travel and cargo operations.

With the planned office opening and BSP implementation, IATA is positioning itself to play an active role in supporting Uzbekistan’s aviation growth, helping to strengthen connectivity, improve efficiency, and contribute to the sector’s long-term development.

 See the Value of Air Transport Study for Uzbekistan report (pdf)

For more information, please contact:

Corporate Communications
Tel: +41 22 770 2967
Email: corpcomms@iata.org