newstodate.aero

Sep 03, 2024 b(newstodate): The sanctions imposed on Russia's aviation industry has spurred a growth in new airlines popping up in Central Asia, especially in the cargo business.
   One latest example is Uzbekistan’s start-up cargo airline SpaceBee Airlines that received its commercial operator certificate on August 23, 2024, and is now preparing for launch of commercial services by mid-September.
   In the fleet is one 40-years old Boeing 767-200SF converted freighter on a lease contract with the US lessor Cargo Aircraft Management.
   Initially, the carrier will operate from Tashkent to regions including India, the UAE, and Turkey.  
   But in October 2024, the delivery of two more Boeing 767-200F aircraft will allow the carrier to expand services with flights to Europe and the Far East.
   SpaceBee Airlines will become the third dedicated cargo airline in Uzbekistan, following My Freighter established in 2019, and Fly Khiva that performed commercial services with its first ex-Icelandair Cargo Boeing 767-300F in May 2024.
   To cope with this expected rise in cargo traffic and volumes, Tashkent International Airport is currently constructing a new, modern cargo complex.
   The design capacity of the existing terminal is 30,000 tons per year, but the airport is expecting to be handling about 67,000 tons of cargo and mail in 2024, driving the acute need for expansion.
   The new complex will thus be designed with the capacity of 120,000 tons annually, in two stages.   
   The first stage, to go operational by the end of the year, includes an 8,000 m2 cargo terminal and a 3,000 m2 administrative building, while the second phase will add another 12,000 m2 of cargo warehouse space by the end of 2025 already.