• Airlines, airports and logistics companies are looking beyond capacity expansion to develop stronger air, road and rail links between China, Europe and the Middle East, with infrastructure, customs and multimodal connectivity key priorities.
• Stakeholders highlighted IATA standards, ONE Record, data sharing, AI, cargo terminal automation and cybersecurity as ways to improve efficiency and integrate Central Asian markets more closely with global supply chains.
• Tashkent, Almaty and Navoi are competing for a larger role in regional freight flows, supported by scheduled and charter services, ACMI, express logistics and e-commerce. Workforce development and skills are also emerging as important constraints to further expansion.

Central Asian aviation stakeholders are stepping up efforts to develop the region as a more integrated air cargo gateway between China, Europe and the Middle East, with airlines, airports and logistics companies looking beyond capacity growth to digitalisation, multimodal transport and infrastructure.

The shift was a central theme at the Central Asia Aviation Cargo Summit in Tashkent, where 340 representatives from airlines, airports, logistics companies, technology providers, regulators and freight specialists gathered on 30 September and 1 October.

The discussions reflected a cargo market that is becoming more complex as new routes and capacity are added, e-commerce generates new traffic flows and regional airports compete to establish themselves as gateways for Eurasian trade.

Infrastructure investment remains a key part of the strategy, but speakers also highlighted customs, digital cargo standards, automation, workforce development and the integration of airfreight with road and rail as increasingly important to the region’s development.

The opening sessions brought together Catalin Radu, CEO and director general of RGC AvNet, and Henrik Hololei, aviation expert and former director general at the European Commission, alongside representatives from IATA, Malakut Insurance Brokers, Turkish Technology and Almaty International Airport.

Their discussions covered international cargo standards, aviation insurance, artificial intelligence in cargo sales and customer service, and airport development.

Building connections beyond air cargo

For Central Asia, one of the central challenges is turning its geographic position into more effective cargo connectivity.

Representatives from Silk Way West Airlines, Saudia Cargo and DHL Global Forwarding examined how air, rail and road networks could be combined to strengthen links with China, Europe, the Middle East and other markets.

The development of e-commerce is adding another layer of demand, with perishables, high-value shipments and last-mile delivery also placing new requirements on regional cargo infrastructure.

Aélia, YDA Group, Pacific Air Holdings and EMEX / FedEx Central Asia discussed the changing requirements around insurance, regional gateways, special cargo and customs as cross-border e-commerce expands.

The focus on multimodal logistics reflects a wider change in the region’s cargo ambitions. Rather than developing airports and air services in isolation, operators are increasingly looking at how aviation can fit into broader logistics corridors connecting Central Asia with major trading markets.

Digital standards become a priority

Digitalisation was another recurring theme, particularly as cargo volumes increase across a supply chain that still relies heavily on manual processes.

An IATA roundtable brought together representatives from IATA, Lufthansa Cargo, Qatar Airways, Centrum Air / My Freighter and Uzbekistan’s Customs Committee to discuss certification, ONE Record, cargo connectivity, regulatory modernisation and the exchange of data between industry participants.

For airlines, airports, forwarders and customs authorities, the ability to exchange data across systems is becoming increasingly important as cargo networks become more interconnected.

The discussions also highlighted the need for Central Asian markets to align with international cargo standards if they are to attract more global operators and integrate more closely with established Eurasian supply chains.

Airlines and airports compete for a bigger role

The region’s airports are also positioning themselves for a larger role in cargo flows.

Tashkent Airport and Navoi International Airport used the summit to outline cargo development strategies and infrastructure plans, while a wider industry panel examined the prospects for Tashkent, Almaty, Navoi and other regional airports.

The panel brought together airlines, airports, freight forwarders, charter specialists, technology companies and logistics providers, including Silk Way West Airlines, Centrum Air, EMEX / FedEx Central Asia, Atlas Air, Lufthansa Cargo, Chapman Freeborn, Turkish Airlines and Navoi International Airport.

Capacity was one part of the discussion, but so were charter operations, ACMI, digital platforms, express logistics and GSSA services.

The range of companies involved illustrates the increasingly broad ecosystem developing around Central Asian air cargo, from scheduled and charter operators to airport infrastructure and technology providers.

Flexible capacity and automation

The second day shifted towards the operational tools needed to support further growth.

Chapman Freeborn discussed strategic air chartering, while Atlas Air examined ACMI solutions for the region. Latvijas Pasts looked at the role of postal operators and airlines in cross-border e-commerce, while Hans Infomatic addressed cargo terminal automation, cybersecurity and IATA ONE Record.

Automation could become increasingly significant as airports seek to handle higher volumes without simply adding manual processes and labour.

Workforce availability is already emerging as another constraint. A final panel involving Qanot Sharq, Centrum Air, Jupiter Jet and SCAT Airlines focused on training, professional skills and the staffing requirements associated with a growing aviation sector.

Central Asia’s cargo proposition broadens

The discussions in Tashkent suggest that Central Asia’s air cargo development is moving beyond the traditional question of how much capacity the region can add.

The focus is increasingly on whether airports can provide the infrastructure, digital connectivity, customs processes and multimodal links needed to turn additional aircraft capacity into efficient cargo corridors.

For airlines and logistics companies, the opportunity lies in connecting a growing set of regional gateways with established trade lanes across Eurasia. For airports, the challenge is to build the infrastructure and operating environment required to compete for those flows.

The summit also included signing ceremonies involving RGC AvNet and AeroClass, and the Civil Aviation Authority of Romania and the Civil Aviation Authority of Uzbekistan, alongside extensive meetings between airlines, airports, forwarders and technology companies.

With 340 participants attending the two-day event, the level of industry engagement points to growing interest in the region’s cargo potential. The next stage will be whether the investment, partnerships and regulatory changes discussed in Tashkent translate into new services, more efficient cargo handling and stronger connections across the Eurasian freight network.

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