MAI supports Air Marakanda at Samarkand Int. Airport

New, state-of-the-art terminal in Samarkand

May 30, 2022

The grand opening of Samarkand International Airport’s new terminal took place on 18 March 2022. More than 250 people participated in the opening ceremony, including the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Achilbay Ramatov, Minister of Transport Ilkhom Makhkamov, and Chairman of the Board of Uzbekistan Airports Rano Juraeva. Munich Airport International (MAI) is proud to be involved in this important milestone for the Uzbek aviation industry.

The project for the construction of a new terminal worth more than US$80 million was implemented as part of the first public-private partnership agreement in the history of aviation in Uzbekistan between Air Marakanda and the state partner JSC Uzbekistan Airports. The modern facility, which serve visitors to Uzbekistan's most frequented tourist sites in and around the historic Silk Road city, is designed for 1.5 million passengers, but can accommodate up to 2 million passengers per year. With a total area of nearly 42,000sqm, the new terminal building features for example 29 check-in desks, four passenger boarding bridges, self-services kiosks, facial recognition for immigration, four new taxi-ways, one additional de-icing area and a new 3.1km runway. The new terminal of Samarkand International Airport is without doubt the most modern airport in Uzbekistan and one of the most modern in Central Asia.

Samarkand International Airport, designed by KIKLOP, was constructed with key design principles in mind: to be simple, flexible, convenient, comfortable, attractive, and be generous with flow area. © Air Marakanda LLC
Over the past 18 months, MAI's experts supported Air Marakanda throughout various phases of this exciting project at Samarkand International Airport. © Munich Airport International GmbH

Bavarian expertise for Uzbekistan

Munich Airport International was awarded a contract to support Air Marakanda, the private operator of the new terminal, throughout various phases of this exciting project. Over the past 18 months a team of five experts from MAI were deployed in Uzbekistan, covering core processes such as passenger handling operations, ground handling, IT, maintenance & facility management, security, and terminal operations management training. Air Marakanda strives for excellence, not only through an iconic terminal building, but also by implementing standardized, best-in-class processes for a unique passenger experience, and we are honored to support Air Marakanda on this journey.

Besides developing the overall concept of operations (ConOps) and terminal & ground handling operational manuals as standard operational procedures (SOPs), MAI provided support in three key areas: ORAT (operational readiness and airport transfer), route development and training, as well as commercial consulting. Especially the ORAT services together with the associated familiarization trainings and trial operations were essential for creating confidence in the airport’s operational readiness and Air Marakanda’s own infrastructure, procedures and systems. This was further enhanced by additional consulting and training of multiple operational management teams in line with international best practices.

Our support continues

Currently, our team is in the post-opening support phase and is focused on helping Air Marakanda develop operations at a more strategic level. This includes implementing Air Marakanda's vision by developing a customized training package, implementing additional best-in-class processes, and supporting the operations management team with hands-on operational guidance.

We are confident that Air Marakanda will revolutionize the aviation industry in Uzbekistan and look forward to supporting them on their runway to success.

As part of the opening ceremony, the terminal handled its inaugural flight, flown by Uzbekistan Airways from Tashkent. © Munich Airport International GmbH

Project contacts

Sebastian Selmeier

Sebastian Selmeier

Business Development Manager - EU & CIS

   

Piétrick Voyer

Piétrick Voyer

Senior Consultant
  • Silk Road Samarkand, including spacious green areas, is a modern multiplex which is set to open in 2022 in eastern Samarkand.
    The new complex will house contemporary public spaces, parks, recreation and sports areas, ... 
  • Silk Road Samarkand, including world-class hotels, is a modern multiplex which is set to open in 2022 in eastern Samarkand.
    ... world-class hotels, specialized boutique hotels, authentic restaurants, cafes and bars, ...
  • Silk Road Samarkand, including an international congress hall, is a modern multiplex which is set to open in 2022 in eastern Samarkand.
    ... as well as an international congress hall and sites of cultural interest. © Silk Road Samarkand

Image source: https://www.traveldailynews.com/post/2022-uzbekistan-will-see-the-grand-opening-of-silk-road-samarkand-a-unique-tourist-complex

The Samarkand Silk Road project

Located just 20 minutes from the Samarkand Silk Road project, Samarkand International Airport will be the gateway to this iconic tourism project, estimated to cost more than $353 million.

Silk Road Samarkand is a modern multiplex which is set to open in 2022 in eastern Samarkand. The complex covers 260 hectares and includes world-class business and medical hotels, eateries, recreational facilities, park grounds, an ethnographic corner and a large congress hall for hosting international events.

For centuries, Samarkand was among the most renowned cities on the Great Silk Road, attracting merchants, travelers and adventurers from near and far. The Silk Road Samarkand project was developed by a team of designers, engineers and architects who desired to create a 21st-century landmark which would be functional and modern while retaining a connection with the city’s glorious past. The team is on target to achieve their goal, as the complex is designed to attract everyone from corporate and medical travelers to tourists interested in Turkic and Islamic culture.

This project is instrumental to the economic development of Uzbekistan. It is estimated that 90% of the visitor to Silk Road, will travel through Samarkand Airport. This Is why Air Marakanda have sought the services of MAI to ensure visitors to Silk Road experience the best of Samarkand while travelling through the airport.