The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) presented its first regional aviation finance report — "Aviation Finance in Kazakhstan and Central Asia: Global Trends and the Role of the Astana International Financial Centre" (10.09.2026). The report forecasts commercial fleet growth across five Central Asian countries through 2030.
For Uzbekistan, the forecast is a fleet expansion from 105 to 180 aircraft, a 71% increase. In absolute terms, this is the region's second-largest fleet after Kazakhstan (109 to 221). By growth rate, Uzbekistan trails Tajikistan (10 to 25, +150%), Kazakhstan (109 to 221, +102%), and Kyrgyzstan (20 to 35, +75%), but is ahead of Turkmenistan (27 to 43, +59%).
Zhanbolat Kakishev, AIFC's Chief Product Officer, noted that the centre is exploring Kazakhstan's potential as a regional hub for aviation finance and leasing, drawing on growing demand across Central Asia and the Caucasus. Assel Bagissova, Head of AIFC's Aviation Finance Hub, said that only 45% of the global commercial aircraft fleet remains owned by airlines today, while 55-80% of the region's fleet operates under leasing arrangements — above the global average of roughly 60%.
AIFC's jurisdiction operates under English common law, has signed more than 55 tax treaties, and is a member of the Cape Town Convention — factors that provide a legal framework for cross-border aircraft financing in the region.