“Civil aviation is the face of a country. In the context of strengthening the foundations of independence, its contribution to connecting the Republic of Tajikistan with world civilization is invaluable... Aviation connects cultures, peoples, and civilizations.”
Emomali Rahmon
The history of the country records the beginning of civil aviation activities in Tajikistan as September 3, 1924. On this day, the first flight from Bukhara to Dushanbe was made by a Yu-13 (Junkers F-13) aircraft, piloted by Pyotr Komarov and Rashidbek Akhriev. This date was recorded in history as Civil Aviation Day of Tajikistan.
It should be noted that, among all types of transport currently used in the country, aviation was the first to reach the capital of Tajikistan—two years before automobiles and five years before railways. This was also necessary because the spread of the ideas of the October Revolution in Central Asia and the establishment of separate republics required the influence and connection of the central authorities with these republics to be established as quickly and extensively as possible.
At the beginning, although Tajikistan had been declared an autonomous republic, it was considered one of the key republics due to its strategic and geographical position. Aviation was therefore expected to serve as a messenger, quickly transmitting information about regional events to the center and bringing information from the center to the region. As a result, new air routes were established throughout the country within a short period. First, an air hub was established in Stalinabad, and in 1930 a first-class airport was put into operation. Subsequently, flights were launched to the hard-to-reach regions of Karategin, Darvoz, Vanj, Rushon, Shughnon, Bartang, Yaghnob, and others.
In 1937, the Administration of the Air Fleet of Tajikistan (AFT) was established. This made it possible for Tajikistan to receive new aircraft. In 1945, Yu-52 and Li-2 aircraft were placed at the disposal of the AFT Administration. In the history of civil aviation in Tajikistan, the first flight on the Stalinabad–Moscow route was operated by an Li-2 aircraft.
In the post-war years, the civil aviation fleet of Tajikistan was expanded with the famous An-2 aircraft. This aircraft was used not only for transporting cargo and passengers but also extensively in agricultural activities.
In 1954, the twin-engine Il-12 aircraft arrived in Tajikistan and made its first flight on the Stalinabad–Sochi route. In subsequent years, thanks to new technological developments, the Air Fleet of Tajikistan was equipped with new types of aircraft, including the Il-14, Il-18, An-6, and Mi-4 helicopters. At the same time, highly qualified personnel for Tajikistan’s civil aviation sector were trained at technical and engineering colleges and aviation academies in Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, and other countries.
It should be noted that specialists in Tajikistan’s civil aviation sector were ahead of their colleagues from other republics in mastering difficult air routes. In 1959, pilot B. M. Vorobyov landed an An-6 aircraft on the frozen surface of Lake Sarez. In 1960, an Il-18 aircraft made its first flight on the Stalinabad–Moscow route. This flight was historically significant because the Il-18 was considered one of the best aircraft models in civil aviation and was specifically designed for passenger transportation.
The civil aviation structure of Tajikistan continued to expand and strengthen. In 1959, the Leninabad Aviation Enterprise (now Sughd) was established, and in 1960, the Kulyab Aviation Enterprise was established. On March 3, 1960, an airport complex and aircraft runway were put into operation in the capital of the republic, and air routes were opened from Stalinabad (Dushanbe) to Frunze (Bishkek), Alma-Ata, Novosibirsk, and other destinations.
The 1970s and 1980s are considered a period of development for civil aviation in Tajikistan, as the aircraft fleet of the Administration of Civil Aviation of Tajikistan was expanded with new aircraft types alongside the expansion of air routes. Flights to all parts of the Soviet Union and various regions of the republic were operated using Tu-154, Yak-40, An-24, and An-28 aircraft. In 1990–1991, the aircraft fleet of Tajikistan was expanded with Il-76 and Tu-154M aircraft and Mi-8 and MTV-1 helicopters.
During the difficult years of internal conflict, specialists in Tajikistan’s civil aviation sector managed to preserve the aircraft fleet and adapt their operations to the requirements of the new era, including new production relations and a market economy. In accordance with the changing circumstances, reforms were introduced into the management structure of the country’s civil aviation sector. The State Aviation Company “Tajikistan” was established, followed by the State Unitary Aviation Enterprise “Tajik Air.” At the same time, new aircraft types, including Boeing aircraft, began operating in the country’s airspace.
The Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan dated October 1, 2008, “On the Reorganization of the State Unitary Aviation Enterprise ‘Tajik Air’,” marked a new stage in the development of civil aviation in Tajikistan. Under the resolution, alongside airlines such as “Tajik Air” and “Somon Air,” the State Unitary Enterprise “Dushanbe International Airport” also became an independent entity and began operating as a separate economic entity in February 2009. In 2010, it was transformed into the Open Joint-Stock Company “Dushanbe International Airport.”
OJSC “Dushanbe International Airport” is an organization providing ground handling services for passenger and cargo transportation and operating under contracts with all domestic and foreign airlines, including “Tajik Air,” “Somon Air,” and others.
Flights from Dushanbe International Airport are operated by 23 airlines, including 6 airlines from countries outside the CIS, 15 airlines from member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and 2 local Tajik airlines—OJSC “Tajik Air” and LLC “Somon Air.”
The operation of flights from the airport depends on many factors, such as weather conditions, delayed arrival of aircraft, passenger boarding and seat availability, changes in departure times, aircraft substitutions, passenger and baggage screening for flight safety purposes, and other circumstances. The airport management takes all necessary measures to ensure that every flight operates on time and at a high standard of quality.
Dushanbe International Airport is continuously being improved, modernized, and beautified. Its aeronautical navigation system was upgraded and equipped with the latest technology under a 2001 loan agreement, under which more than USD 3 million was allocated by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The artificial runway and apron have undergone repeated improvement and modernization works in accordance with modern requirements.
At present, the airport has one paved runway with runway designation 09–27 and dimensions of 3,112 × 45 meters, as well as four aprons for accommodating various types of aircraft, including wide-body passenger aircraft such as “Boeing” and “Airbus,” IL-96, and IL-86, as well as large cargo aircraft such as AN-124 “Ruslan,” IL-76, and others. It is equipped with the OVI-1 lighting system (high-intensity Category I lighting) by “SIEMENS” and the “NORMAK-7000” landing system with runway approach direction 09 as the primary landing course.
Access to the territory of Dushanbe International Airport is organized in accordance with generally accepted international security standards through the installation of modern equipment, including screening equipment, video surveillance and recording systems, radio-telephone communication systems, revolving doors, metal gates, and other security measures. Regular measures are also taken to improve and modernize ground service equipment for aircraft.
Currently, an agreement has been signed between the Government of France and the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan for the construction of a new airport terminal with a capacity of 500 passengers per hour.
Fast and reliable transportation of passengers and cargo is the most important task that airports must fulfill in close cooperation with airlines. It is also clear that, under conditions of globalization and effective international economic cooperation, no country or group of countries can develop its transport infrastructure in isolation, without joint efforts with neighboring states and all countries forming part of the global economic system.
From this perspective, the opportunities offered by Dushanbe International Airport are highly attractive to foreign air carriers due to the geographical location of the country and its capital, Dushanbe. It should be noted that the Republic of Tajikistan is located in Central Asia, approximately at 30° north latitude and 71° east longitude, extending more than 700 km from west to east and more than 350 km from north to south. It borders the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the People’s Republic of China, and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
In other words, the Republic of Tajikistan occupies an important and strategic position in the Europe–Asia region and is located at the crossroads of many historical routes, one of which is the Great Silk Road. In other words, Tajikistan can become a natural air-transport bridge between the countries of two continents—Asia and Europe.
In this regard, an important task facing Dushanbe International Airport today is the establishment of intermediate air routes (corridors) between the countries of these two continents and, thereby, contributing to the expansion and increased efficiency of trade and economic relations, as well as passenger and cargo transportation. In this way, Tajikistan’s European–Asian integration route can provide the global economic system with reliable air transport connections.
The management of Dushanbe International Airport has begun implementing a project to establish an aircraft hub (transit station). Negotiations are currently underway with international commercial companies regarding their participation in the implementation of this project. This hub will serve as a link between air routes and will enable airlines to identify more efficient ways of transporting passengers and cargo.
Under current conditions, tourism-related issues are also of great importance. The airport’s efforts in this area are aimed at ensuring that international airlines and tourism-sector representatives regard Dushanbe International Airport as a reliable partner.
Dushanbe International Airport is the air gateway to Tajikistan and its capital. The airport management takes all necessary measures to ensure that it always maintains a well-developed and attractive appearance, attracts the attention of visitors, provides passengers and guests with comfort and pleasant surroundings, offers high-quality services, and, ultimately, that flights departing from Dushanbe International Airport truly serve as a link between peoples and civilizations.
Address: 734012, Republic of Tajikistan, Dushanbe, M. Mastangulov Street, 32/2
Contact: +992 37 227 21 79
Email: info@airport.tj