Samarkand International Airport joins ACI EUROPE
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Air Marakanda, the operator of Uzbekistan’s Samarkand International Airport (SKD), has become a member of ACI EUROPE.
The organisation currently represents around 500 airports in 55 countries with its member airports accounting for 90% of commercial air traffic in Europe – 2.3 billion passengers, 18.4 million tons of cargo, and 21.2 million flights annually.
“Silver membership is an important acknowledgement of Samarkand International Airport, and the next step towards a truly international profile for Air Marakanda,” commented Air Markanda’s general director, Anton Khodzhajan.
“I am convinced our co-operation will lead to improved service quality and an experience of international standards for travellers using SKD. Samarkand International is ready to be part of ACI EUROPE’s’ global community of excellence.”
Air Marakanda and its state partner, Uzbekistan Airports JCS, have invested more than $80 million on re-developing and expanding the airport, which serves the ancient city of Samarkand.
Its newly opened redeveloped terminal allows easy access for passenger with limited mobility and is equipped with 29 check-in desks, eight boarding gates, four airbridges, ten passport control booths, six e-gates for departing passengers and 15 passport control booths for arriving passengers.
Indeed, the new-look airport will serve the region’s population of 3.9 million and act as a hub for international transit flights.
Independent research by market research firm, Lufthansa Consulting, forecasts an increase in annual passenger traffic from 480,000 to two million per annum in the coming years.