Central Asia is moving from the periphery of global aviation to the forefront of East–West connectivity, driven by shifting geopolitical dynamics and the growing need for resilient trade corridors. With instability in the Middle East disrupting traditional air routes, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are increasingly emerging as viable and attractive alternatives.
What began as limited bilateral cooperation between Central Asian states and China has now evolved into a coordinated regional strategy, transforming the region into a logistics bridge between Asia’s manufacturing hubs and Europe’s consumer markets.
Rising Capacity and Cargo-Oriented Connectivity
Passenger service expansion is central to this transformation, with direct benefits for airfreight. According to China’s civil aviation authority, Chinese cities are now connected by direct flights to all five Central Asian capitals, with weekly passenger frequencies reaching 151—nearly double the total in 2024 and triple pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
These additional flights significantly increase bellyhold cargo capacity, supporting time-sensitive and high-value goods such as e-commerce shipments, pharmaceuticals, and automotive components. Dedicated freighter services are also expanding, complementing this surge in capacity.
Route integration is progressing as well. China Southern Airlines has signed codeshare agreements with Air Astana and Uzbekistan Airways, streamlining schedules for both passengers and cargo. Revised bilateral air service agreements are reducing operational barriers, enabling carriers to deploy capacity more flexibly in response to shifting demand.
Geopolitical Realignment of Air Cargo Flows
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported a 12.5% year-on-year increase in global cargo tonne-kilometres during the first half of 2025. Growth, however, has been uneven. Middle Eastern carriers recorded a 3.1% decline due to airspace restrictions and operational disruptions, while Central Asia posted an estimated 8.7% increase in international cargo volumes.
WorldACD’s Q2 2025 data reinforces this trend, showing a 14% rise in chargeable weight on routes transiting Kazakhstan. The strongest growth came from e-commerce, spare parts logistics, and temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals—industries that benefit from shorter transit times and greater predictability compared to congested or politically sensitive corridors.
This momentum is not solely the result of rerouted traffic from conflict zones. It is also driven by proactive policy measures and infrastructure investments. Kazakhstan, for example, has expanded free trade zones, introduced integrated customs facilities at airports, and aligned logistics development with China’s Belt and Road Initiative—cementing its role as a natural Eurasian transit hub.
Policy Coordination and Institutional Frameworks
Regional aviation policy is becoming more structured. Established in 2024 under Kazakhstan’s leadership, the Eurasian Civil Aviation Conference (EACAC) now provides a platform for collective engagement with ICAO, IATA, the European Commission, and other global stakeholders.
Balancing Growth with Infrastructure Readiness
Despite rapid progress, infrastructure capacity remains a key constraint. ICAO estimates indicate that Central Asia’s combined cargo handling capability lags more than 40% behind that of major Middle Eastern and European hubs. Capacity is heavily concentrated in Kazakhstan, while other states face limitations in large-scale cargo handling.
Potential bottlenecks loom without significant upgrades to warehousing, ground handling, and cold chain infrastructure. However, efforts are underway: Kazakhstan is developing multimodal links that integrate China–Europe freight rail with air cargo networks for time-critical shipments, while Uzbekistan is modernizing terminals and expanding apron capacity.
Industry experts caution that the region’s competitiveness could erode if infrastructure investment does not keep pace with traffic growth. Scalable logistics capacity, harmonized customs procedures, and regulatory predictability will be vital to sustaining momentum.
From Bilateral Links to Regional Integration
A notable policy shift is the transition from bilateral cooperation toward regional integration. Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Transport has outlined plans to expand city-pair connections beyond capital cities, opening direct air links between secondary markets.
This evolution supports the WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement by reducing procedural delays and improving reliability. It also aligns with IATA’s push for digitalization across the cargo supply chain—particularly through universal e-Air Waybill (e-AWB) adoption and integrated cargo community systems, which enhance clearance speed and transparency.
Strategic Implications for the Air Cargo Sector
Geopolitical diversification – Central Asia is emerging as a sustainable long-term alternative to traditional East–West corridors.
Bellyhold capacity as a growth driver – Expanded passenger services are directly boosting cargo lift.
Sustainability and compliance – Early adoption of SAF and digital compliance systems will secure long-term market access.
Regional policy coordination – Structures like EACAC can harmonize standards for trans-Eurasian cargo flows.
Integration with India – Leveraging Central Asia as a transit hub could accelerate India’s cargo growth trajectory.
Path to Becoming a Mainline Corridor
The transition from peripheral transit zone to central artery of the global airfreight network is well underway. With geopolitical shifts acting as catalysts and supportive policy frameworks in place, Central Asia has the potential to rival established hubs in both throughput and service reliability.
The challenge now is to align infrastructure growth with rising demand, embed sustainability early on, and maintain cross-border policy alignment. If achieved, Central Asia will no longer be seen as a temporary detour but as a permanent and strategic fixture in the global air logistics architecture.
Source: https://aircargoweek.com/linking-east-and-west-2/
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