Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The reconstruction of the regional Sariosiyo Airport in the Surkhandarya region has been completed. According to Uzbekistan Airports' press service, on 29 April, the upgraded airport welcomed its first technical flight — an ATR-72-600 aircraft from SilkAvia.

As part of the project, the airfield's surface was overhauled: the 1,550-meter-long and 35-meter-wide runway, taxiway, and apron were reinforced with a two-layer asphalt concrete coating. The apron is now equipped to accommodate two ATR-72-600 type aircraft.

Uzbekistan Airports noted that the need for a major overhaul arose from the prolonged use of the runway, which had been in operation since 1976, and the necessity of meeting modern flight safety standards. The technical flight confirmed the airport's full readiness to receive and dispatch aircraft of the ATR-72 type and smaller classes.

Meanwhile, the construction of a new terminal, capable of servicing up to 100 passengers, is nearing completion. Regular flights are expected to begin within a month after all works are finalized.

Sariosiyo Airport becomes the fifth regional airport to be restored in recent years. Prior to this, airports in Muynak, Kokand, Shahrisabz, and Zamin were reconstructed and put into operation.