19.04.2021

On April 19, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev got acquainted with the presentation on the measures to transform the «Uzbekistan airways» and «Uzbekistan airports» joint-stock companies.

As it is well-known, following a Presidential Decree of November 27, 2018, two joint-stock companies were created based on the National Airline «Uzbekistan Havo Yo’llari» - «Uzbekistan Airways» and «Uzbekistan airports». In the process of structural transformations carried out today in the domestic economy, the transformation of these companies is also planned. The complex economic situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic also requires improvement of the aviation industry.

The main emphasis in the transformation of domestic airlines is on increasing the efficiency. For example, Uzbekistan airways is expected to reduce costs by $46.5 million. To this end, it is envisaged to optimize the staff of the company and its structural organizations, decommissioning 12 unused aircraft, reducing the commission of foreign air ticket agents.

The goal is to increase revenues by $40 million per year. To this end, it is scheduled to introduce the charter flights in popular areas and cargo transportation along the new routes, the possibility of online registration and selection of seats on all domestic flights.

In accordance with the new business strategy, it is intended to switch to a hybrid service model, according to which part of the flights will be carried out on the principle of full service and a part – on the principle of a low-cost airline. In the areas that are not in high demand, business class will be canceled with an increase in seats below the class.

Starting from the third quarter of this year, it is planned to establish the low-budget flights on four Airbus A-320 aircraft. To develop the long-haul destinations, it is planned to lease three Airbus A321 NEO LR airliners and increase the number of domestic flights from the current 17 to 49 per week.

In order to improve the convenience for passengers, it is planned to digitalize the industry, including the introduction of the Aero labs online service system and CRM complex for managing the customer relations.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted the importance of improving the mobility of the population by improving the availability and quality of services.

Besides, a number of measures have been developed to increase the efficiency of the «Uzbekistan airports» Joint-Stock Company. Today, the company includes 11 airports, each of which carries out the independent activities.

According to the presentation, these airports are proposed to be combined by management of a single governing body. In order to raise financial sustainability, based on international experience, it is intended to reduce costs from 32 to 15 percent, optimize purchases, reduce the airport fees by 27 percent, including up to 50 percent in pilgrimage tourism.

A special attention is paid to the issue of increasing incomes. In particular, it is planned to increase the revenue from trade and services due to the construction of a cargo terminal at the Tashkent International Airport and an increase in transit between Europe and East Asia, and an expansion of the airport terminal area.

The President gave instructions concerning the development of the airport infrastructure, increasing the volume of passenger and freight traffic, organizing catering and other types of services at regional airports.