Samarkand airport officially becomes ECO aviation hub

In early June 2025, member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) met in Tehran and adopted a key document — the Tehran Declaration, reported UPL.uz.

One of the major outcomes was the designation of Samarkand Airport as the official aviation hub of ECO. This was confirmed by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport. The declaration also included Tashkent’s proposal to establish a digital office for managing transport and customs procedures.

The Economic Cooperation Organization was founded in 1985 to enhance economic and logistical ties among member states. Uzbekistan joined the organization in 1992 and has since actively participated in regional development initiatives.

The idea of making Samarkand Airport an ECO aviation hub had been discussed previously, and it is now formally approved. This status is expected to increase passenger and cargo traffic and strengthen Samarkand’s role as a key logistics center.

The planned digital transport and customs office aims to simplify, accelerate, and make border-crossing procedures more transparent for goods.

The Tehran Declaration addresses various aspects of the transportation sector, aiming to improve cooperation among ECO countries, enhance logistical efficiency, and support economic growth across the region.

Originally built in the 1980s, Samarkand Airport underwent major reconstruction in 2022. Its capacity increased to 800 passengers per hour, making it one of the most modern airports in Central Asia.