IATA urges Central Asia to modernize aviation rules, infrastructure

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is seeking to deepen its engagement with Central Asian nations, including Azerbaijan, as the region confronts mounting pressure to modernize its aviation regulatory framework and expand critical infrastructure, said Rafael Schvartzman, Regional Vice President for Europe at the IATA.

Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the IATA's 82nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit (WATS) in Rio de Janeiro, Schvartzman said that while Central Asia's aviation sector is experiencing rapid growth, significant structural and regulatory challenges remain, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

“The level of infrastructure development varies across the region, but every country faces challenges,” he said. “Kazakhstan is considering either an expansion of Astana Airport or the construction of a second airport, reflecting the strength of its domestic aviation market. Uzbekistan, meanwhile, is preparing for major sectoral expansion, including plans for a second airport in Tashkent. Yet the potential for domestic air travel remains far from exhausted.”

According to Schvartzman, the current environment presents a unique opportunity for regional governments and industry stakeholders to capitalize on emerging growth prospects, particularly in the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), a key pillar of the aviation sector’s decarbonization agenda.

He noted that both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are exploring the establishment of domestic SAF production capabilities. However, he cautioned that more immediate concerns persist, including ensuring reliable and competitively priced supplies of conventional aviation fuel.

“In several countries, the challenge is not the availability of fuel itself, but access to it,” he said. “For Kazakhstan, one of the priority issues remains the transition to Jet A-1 fuel standards. Azerbaijan, by contrast, benefits from sufficient fuel resources and a well-developed logistics network, placing it in a stronger position.”

Schvartzman also underscored aviation’s growing role as a catalyst for economic development, particularly through tourism.

“Uzbekistan is currently experiencing some of the fastest growth in tourism across the region, driven by its extraordinary cultural heritage,” he said. “At the same time, Central Asia as a whole possesses immense untapped potential for nature-based tourism. Kyrgyzstan’s mountain landscapes offer exceptional opportunities for adventure travel, while Kazakhstan is home to numerous unique natural destinations that remain relatively inaccessible. Azerbaijan has made considerable progress in developing its tourism infrastructure, though significant opportunities for further expansion remain.”

As part of its broader regional strategy, IATA is strengthening its operational footprint across Central Asia. Schvartzman said the association’s office in Astana serves as a regional coordination hub, while activities in Uzbekistan are being expanded to support the country’s rapidly evolving aviation market.

“Azerbaijan falls under the jurisdiction of our Istanbul office, but our objective is to maintain close engagement with governments throughout the region,” he said. “We see a clear need for regulatory modernization and believe that effective cooperation between public authorities and industry stakeholders is essential to unlocking the sector’s full potential.”

Schvartzman highlighted the growing diversification of aviation markets in the region, noting that while Uzbekistan Airways has long been an established IATA member, a new generation of carriers is entering the market. Uzbekistan currently has 14 IATA-accredited agents, including 12 passenger and two cargo operators.

“Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have participated in the BSP system for many years and represent relatively mature aviation markets,” he added. “We maintain continuous dialogue with transport ministries, civil aviation authorities, air navigation service providers, and airport operators across the region to support sustainable sectoral development.”

By Vafa Guliyeva