November 28, 2024, Samarkand: Air Marakanda, which manages Samarkand International Airport, has celebrated a quadruple success at the prestigious international BLUESKY Aviation Awards 2024, which were announced during a major ceremony in Istanbul, Turkey.
Staged annually, the awards honour the achievements and inspiring contributions of leaders who drive the international aviation industry forward. Air Marakanda and its fast-growing Samarkand International Airport scooped four awards:
- Innovative Design Project for the outstanding architectural and functional design of airport facilities, creating a unique atmosphere and comfortable experience for all visitors;
- Aviation Destination Promotion for the successful implementation strategy to open new tourist routes, strengthening the status of Samarkand as a key and fast-emerging aviation and tourist center of the region;
- Aviation Accessibility Project for Passengers with Disabilities having created inclusive infrastructure and implemented creative solutions to make air travel convenient and accessible for all passengers;
- Aviation Cooperation and Partnership Development for the successful interaction with airlines, tour operators and other partners, to contribute to the growth of air traffic and strengthening international cooperation.
These awards are very significant for our company, and reward our team's efforts, commitment to innovation, and partnership with the aviation and travel industries. We are proud that our contribution to the growth of Samarkand, as a tourism and business destination, has been highly recognised on the international stage."
- said Ulugbek Shamsikulov, Air Marakanda CEO
Winning the BLUESKY AWARDS 2024 confirms Air Marakanda's leading role in the development of Uzbekistan’s aviation industry, with a focus on innovation, inclusivity and partnerships. They come after a record-breaking start to 2024, during which Samarkand International Airport reported a 41% increase in passenger numbers in the first 10 months of the year, to outstrip the total achieved in the whole of 2023, which was itself a record number!
The fast-developing airport served more than 1.13 million passengers up until 26 October, the start of the industry’s traditional autumn/winter season, with 844,000 passengers passing through the airport in the busy spring-summer period, a rise of +37% compared to last year.
The figures cemented Samarkand’s position as the second fastest-growing airport in Europe and Central Asia, according to figures from the airport industry organisation ACI Europe, which represents over 500 airports in 55 countries in Europe and Central Asia.
Additional information:
AIR MARAKANDA is a ground handling and management operator of the new terminal of Samarkand International Airport as part of the first public-private partnership project in the aviation industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan. For three years in a row, the new international terminal of Samarkand Airport has been among the top ten regional leaders in the Central Asian region of the international airport rating World Airport Awards (SKYTRAX). According to the results of the first half of 2024, which were published by the European organization ACI Europe, the Samarkand air harbor took second place in the category of medium airports.
BLUESKY AWARDS 2024 – These prestigious INTERNATIONAL AVIATION AWARDS offer a unique opportunity for aviation professionals, companies and organizations around the world to showcase their exceptional contributions and achievements in the aviation industry. The Bluesky Awards celebrate achievements in innovation, sustainability, safety and technological advancements.
