Central Asia Aviation Cargo Summit: A Region Moving Closer to the Centre of Global Air Cargo

The Central Asia Aviation Cargo Summit brought together airlines, airports, logistics companies, technology providers, regulators, freight specialists and other aviation professionals for two days of discussion in Tashkent on 30 September and 1 October.

The program reflected the scale of change now taking place across the region. Central Asia has long been discussed as a natural bridge between Asia and Europe, but the conversation is becoming more practical. Airlines are adding capacity, airports are developing cargo infrastructure, e-commerce is creating new traffic flows, and governments and industry players are paying closer attention to multimodal logistics, customs processes, digital standards and workforce development.

The Summit provided a place to examine these changes from different sides of the business and to discuss what still needs to be done if the region is to strengthen its role in international cargo flows.

Growth, standards and new technology

The first session focused on the rapid growth of air cargo in Central Asia and the systems needed to support it. Speakers addressed global cargo standards, aviation insurance, artificial intelligence in cargo sales and customer service, and the development of major regional airports. Presentations included perspectives from IATA, Malakut Insurance Brokers, Turkish Technology and Almaty International Airport.

One recurring theme was that traffic growth creates its own operational challenges. More capacity has to be matched by reliable handling, modern infrastructure, trained staff, effective compliance systems and predictable processes across the cargo chain.

The discussion also looked at how international standards can help Central Asian markets integrate more closely with global networks. For airlines, forwarders and multinational logistics companies, consistency matters almost as much as capacity. Documentation, data exchange, safety procedures and regulatory requirements all affect whether a route or airport can become part of a larger international network.

Building stronger cargo corridors

Multimodal logistics was another major part of the program. Speakers from Silk Way West Airlines, Saudia Cargo and DHL Global Forwarding discussed how air cargo can work together with rail and road transport and how Central Asia can develop more resilient connections with China, Europe, the Middle East and other markets.

This is especially relevant for a region where geography creates both opportunities and practical limitations. Long distances, uneven cargo flows and the economics of dedicated freighter operations make it important to consider the full transport chain rather than air services in isolation.

The session covered compliance, the role of Middle Eastern logistics hubs and the development of multimodal supply chains. It also raised an important commercial question for the region: where can combinations of air, road and rail offer a genuine advantage in cost, speed or reliability?

E-commerce, high-value cargo and last-mile logistics

The growth of e-commerce is changing the type of cargo moving through the region as well as the expectations placed on logistics providers.

A dedicated session looked at e-commerce, perishables and high-value shipments, with contributions from Aélia, YDA Group, Pacific Air Holdings and EMEX / FedEx Central Asia.

The discussion covered airport and airline insurance, the development of Aktau International Airport as a regional gateway, the role of air cargo in fast-growing e-commerce and special-cargo segments, and the importance of customs and last-mile solutions.

For Central Asia, this is a particularly important area. Growing online trade creates demand for faster and more predictable cross-border logistics, but air capacity alone cannot solve the problem. Customs clearance, data availability, ground handling and final-mile delivery all influence the quality of the product offered to shippers and consumers.

Bringing global cargo practices into the region

The IATA Roundtable focused on the practical application of international cargo standards in Central Asia. Representatives of IATA, Lufthansa Cargo, Qatar Airways, Centrum Air / My Freighter and the Customs Committee of Uzbekistan discussed global standards and certification, ONE Record, cargo connectivity and regulatory modernisation.

Digitalisation has been part of the air cargo agenda for many years, but implementation remains uneven across markets. The Roundtable examined how airlines, airports, customs authorities and other participants can improve the exchange of data and reduce reliance on manual processes.

The discussion around ONE Record was particularly relevant in this context. Better data sharing can improve visibility across the cargo chain and make it easier for different participants to work with the same shipment information.

Airlines, airports and technology providers at one table

The first day concluded with a large panel discussion on Eurasian cargo synergies. The panel brought together representatives of Kale Logistics, Silk Way West Airlines, Centrum Air, EMEX / FedEx Central Asia, AVIAREPS, Atlas Air, Lufthansa Cargo, Chapman Freeborn, Navoi International Airport, Zeal Global Services and Turkish Airlines.

The range of companies involved allowed the discussion to move between different parts of the cargo business: airline capacity, airport development, ground handling, digital platforms, express logistics, GSSA services, charter operations and commercial market development.

Among the questions discussed were the competitive position of Central Asian hubs, infrastructure bottlenecks, the development of China-Europe and other Eurasian cargo corridors, the role of e-commerce and special cargo, and the challenges involved in sharing data across the industry.

The panel also looked at how Tashkent, Almaty, Navoi and other airports may develop in the coming years, and whether the region will be shaped mainly by competition between hubs or by a more complementary network of gateways.

Flexible capacity and airport development

The second day turned to global operators, ACMI, charter capacity and airport infrastructure. Chapman Freeborn presented the role of strategic air chartering in supporting cargo growth, while Atlas Air discussed flexible ACMI solutions for Central Asia. Latvijas Pasts examined the relationship between postal operators, airlines and cross-border e-commerce.

Technology was also part of the programme, with Hans Infomatic addressing cargo terminal automation, cybersecurity and IATA ONE Record.

Tashkent Airport and Navoi International Airport presented their cargo development strategies and infrastructure plans. Both airports are important to the wider discussion about Uzbekistan’s future role in Eurasian logistics, although they operate in different market positions and development models.

These presentations gave participants a closer look at how airport infrastructure, airline capacity and logistics services are developing together across the country.

The people behind future growth

The final panel focused on workforce development in Central Asian aviation. Representatives of Qanot Sharq, Centrum Air, Jupiter Jet and SCAT Airlines discussed education, skills and the staffing needs of a growing aviation market.

This subject is becoming increasingly important as airlines, airports and logistics businesses expand. New aircraft, terminals and digital platforms all require people who can operate them, maintain them and manage increasingly complex processes.

Training and recruitment therefore need to develop alongside investment in physical infrastructure and technology.

Two days of meetings, discussions and new contacts

The Summit programme was built around both formal sessions and opportunities for professional networking. Coffee breaks, lunches and the evening reception gave participants time to continue discussions outside the conference hall, meet potential partners and compare market perspectives.

The first day also included signing ceremonies involving RGC AvNet and AeroClass, as well as CAA Romania and CAA Uzbekistan.

Events of this kind are particularly useful in a market that is changing quickly. Many companies are looking at Central Asia from different angles: some are opening routes, some are building infrastructure, some are selling capacity or technology, and others are exploring the region for the first time. Bringing these groups together helps everyone get a clearer picture of where the market is heading and who is already active in it.

The 2026 Central Asia Aviation Cargo Summit showed how broad the regional air cargo agenda has become. Capacity and infrastructure remain central issues, but they now sit alongside digital standards, e-commerce, multimodal logistics, customs, insurance, automation and workforce development.

For companies already working in Central Asia, the Summit offered a chance to meet partners and discuss current projects face to face. For those considering the region, it provided a practical introduction to the market and direct access to many of the organisations shaping its development.

The conversation will continue as new routes, investments and partnerships take shape across the region.

We look forward to welcoming the industry back to the next Central Asia Aviation Cargo Summit.