Andijan Airport set for revival with new terminal, international routes, and night operations

Andijan International Airport was temporarily closed on April 1, 2023, for reconstruction. The first phase of renovation has since been completed, and limited operations resumed on March 20 of this year.

Currently, flights operate on Mondays and Thursdays on the Tashkent–Andijan–Tashkent route.

The second phase of the project is now in progress. During a press tour organized by “Uzbekistan Airports” JSC, Kun.uz spoke with airport director Sohib Kenjayev about the project’s scope and expectations.

Project details

In the first phase, a section of the aerodrome was rebuilt with a new 4E-category runway measuring 3,300 meters in length and 60 meters in width, one taxiway, and an apron with three aircraft parking stands.

This has enabled the airport to accommodate wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 787, 747, and Airbus A330, as well as smaller aircraft, without any restrictions.

According to Kenjayev, the reconstruction project was developed by Aero-Yul Loyikha LLC, and the contractor is Dorkomplektsnab Plus LLC. The total cost of the project is 850 billion soums, fully financed by Uzbekistan Airports JSC.

“In the second phase, the current terminal will be completely demolished and replaced with a brand-new building constructed from scratch. A new terminal covering 22,000 square meters will be built. To avoid disruption to flight operations, we will first construct a temporary 4,000-square-meter terminal next to the existing one. Once operational, we’ll demolish the current terminal and continue construction,” Kenjayev said.

At present, a second taxiway and an apron with seven aircraft stands are under construction. Installation of radar, meteorological, and lighting systems is also underway to meet international standards. Once completed, the apron will be able to serve up to 10 aircraft simultaneously.

New flight routes coming soon

Kenjayev stated that new international routes to cities in Kazakhstan, the UAE, China, and Russia are expected to be launched.

“Once lighting installations on the runway are completed, we will be able to obtain certification for international flights. Negotiations are ongoing with IrAero, Red Wings, and Aeroflot. Once we gain approval for nighttime operations, contracts will be signed, and flights will begin,” the director added.

What happened over the last two years?

During the two-year closure, 70 employees from Andijan International Airport were temporarily reassigned to airports in Namangan and Fergana. Kenjayev noted that during this time, staff upgraded their skills, renewed their certifications, and continued receiving salaries.

According to the airport director, currently 1,000 to 1,500 residents of the Fergana Valley fly abroad each week via Osh International Airport in neighboring Kyrgyzstan.

For context, Andijan International Airport’s original runway and aerodrome complex were built 84 years ago in 1941. The runway was last renovated in 1960.

Currently, Silk Avia operates two flights per week on the Tashkent–Andijan–Tashkent route. Kenjayev mentioned that this frequency falls well short of demand. Once runway lighting is installed, daily flights to the capital are planned.