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The head of the Ministry of Transport, Elyor Ganiev, said that Uzbekistan will attract foreign airlines to airports by lowering prices for aviation fuel and dues. He also explained why the Navoi logistics center has not been developed.

The attractiveness of Uzbekistan's airports for foreign airlines is planned to be increased by lowering prices for aviation fuel and airport taxes. This was stated by Transport Minister Elyor Ganiev, speaking on Wednesday at a press conference dedicated to the upcoming Uzbekistan Airports, Aviation & Logistics Forum.

According to him, “such competitive conditions will be created in the country, under which Uzbekistan will become a very attractive destination”. The minister said that the price for aviation fuel has already been significantly reduced, which is about $ 880 per ton.

Elyor Ganiev noted that the launch of the Uzbekistan GTL plant in the Kashkadarya region by the end of 2020, which will produce 1.7 million tons of various types of fuel, including over 300 thousand tons of jet fuel, as well as diesel and gasoline, will be important for the aviation fuel market.

“I am sure that with the commissioning of this production, we, in principle, will not have problems with the provision of aviation fuel. Unfortunately, today it is not produced enough to fully provide both Uzbekistan Airways and Uzbekistan Airports. Therefore, we are forced to import certain volumes. At the same time, I want to say that the price has already decreased by at least $ 120-140. And this creates good competitive conditions for the airports of Uzbekistan, ”he said.

The Minister of Transport said that the prices for aviation fuel will be controlled so that they are not higher than the average for the region. This will create the necessary conditions for competition, he said.

Moreover, it is planned to reduce airport taxes: “There are a number of positions, about 40 in total, but in general, airport services will be cheaper by 20%. This will also give a strong impetus to the growth of the attractiveness of our airports for both passenger carriers and freight carriers, ”said Elyor Ganiev.

The head of the Ministry of Transport admitted that the "Navoi" international intermodal logistics center has not received development due to the high cost of aviation fuel.

“Aviation should play its role in the organization of cargo transportation. In this regard, it is also planned to create a number of hubs, including for a long time we have been working on the "Navoi" airport. Unfortunately, this project has not been developed primarily due to the high price of fuel, ”he said.

Recall that the logistics center was opened at the "Navoi" airport in the immediate vicinity of the Navoi free economic zone in 2008. The center was provided with tax incentives and customs preferences. The necessary infrastructure was built, the management of the center was transferred to Korean Air.

In 2017, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that the main reason for the lack of interest of foreign cargo carriers in the "Navoi" logistics center is interruptions in the supply of jet fuel. Another reason for the current situation, the head of state called "the carelessness, irresponsibility of some officials directly responsible for the sphere, their inability to develop the center on the basis of a deeply thought-out strategy."

Earlier, we wrote about the plans of the Ministry of Transport to attract foreign companies to the management of airports in Uzbekistan on the basis of tenders.

Source: gazeta.uz