A foundation stone has been laid for a local airfield in Khovaling district of Tajikistan's Khatlon region. The news came out on 25 October 2026. The facility is being built on the initiative of local entrepreneurs in the village of Pitovdu in Shugnov jamoat. The ceremony was led by Khatlon region chairman Davlatali Said.
What is known about the project
The facility is described as a local airfield. The planned runway is 1,200 metres long and 100 metres wide. The project is timed to the 40th anniversary of Tajikistan's state independence.
According to regional authorities, the airfield is intended to develop the district's transport infrastructure, expand air services and attract tourists to Khovaling. Davlatali Said called the initiative an important step. In his words, the facility could help improve the area and living conditions of the population.
What has not been announced
The cost, sources of financing, names of investors and completion date have not been named. It is not stated which aircraft the runway is designed for, whether the airfield will be passenger, cargo or private, who will operate it or which flights are planned. There is no information on permits from the Civil Aviation Agency. The 100-metre runway width is given as planned and is considerably more than typical values for small aviation, so the figure should be clarified.
Our assessment: this is a groundbreaking for a local facility, not the opening of an airport. Until an operator, aircraft types, permits and timelines are named, the project cannot be considered part of the regular air network. For the market it matters as an example of private initiative in Tajikistan's regional aviation infrastructure. This is flycentralasia's conclusion, not a statement by the Khatlon regional administration.
What businesses can do. Small-aviation and helicopter operators can ask the initiators for runway parameters and operating terms. Tour operators can assess the potential of Khovaling and the Gorno-Badakhshan area for small-aircraft flights once permit information appears. Investors can watch whether a public financing and operating model emerges.