MRO Central Asia 2026 exhibition & conference grows nearly threefold

Image: ato comm / mark comm

The MRO Central Asia: Uzbekistan Exhibition & Conference 2026, held on March 25–26 in Tashkent, reaffirmed its position as the largest dedicated MRO platform in Central Asia. Organized by ATO Comm, the event set new records in participation and international reach, reflecting the region’s accelerating civil aviation growth and rising demand for aircraft maintenance capabilities.

Now in its fifth edition, the event brought together more than 600 industry professionals and over 50 exhibiting companies from 15+ countries, representing the full value chain of maintenance, repair, and overhaul services.

EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS

The exhibition featured 50+ companies spanning the full spectrum of aviation maintenance and aftermarket services. Participants included global and regional MRO providers, OEMs, spare parts distributors, and equipment manufacturers, showcasing solutions tailored to airlines operating in high-growth and emerging markets.

Exhibitors represented a broad geographic footprint, with companies headquartered in Australia, China, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Uzbekistan. This diverse participation underscored sustained international interest in Central Asia as a developing aviation and MRO hub.

CONFERENCE FOCUS: FROM TECHNICAL EXECUTION TO STRATEGIC INTEGRATION

The two-day conference program emphasized the evolving role of MRO as a strategic function within airline operations. Alongside core engineering topics, discussions addressed the broader operational, regulatory, and commercial dimensions of maintenance.

The program opened with a keynote by Farkhod Ibragimov, Director of Uzbekistan Airways Technics, titled “The Future of MRO in Central Asia: Navigating Growth and Innovation.” The address outlined the region’s potential to develop into a competitive MRO hub, supported by infrastructure investment, workforce development, and alignment with international standards.

The organizers acknowledged the contribution of Uzbekistan Airways Technics, whose participation and leadership helped strengthen robust, long-term industry connections between Central Asia and international markets. The company’s role at the event underscored that local MRO players are now key partners in shaping regional and global maintenance ecosystems.

A welcome address by Jamoliddin Nazarov, Head of the Air Transport Department at the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan, highlighted the importance of regulatory adaptation in maintaining safety and compliance amid rapid market expansion.

Market and industry perspectives were further developed through presentations by Maxim Pyadushkin (CentralAsia+Aero) and Rizwan Siddiqui (IATA), focusing on regional aviation dynamics and emerging MRO trends.

KEY INDUSTRY TOPICS

Subsequent sessions addressed a range of operational and strategic priorities:

• Regulatory compliance and safety oversight in a changing policy environment

• Aircraft maintenance planning and optimization of maintenance intervals

• Deployment of predictive maintenance technologies leveraging IoT and AI

• Digitalization of MRO processes to improve efficiency and traceability

• Growing utilization of used serviceable material (USM) in asset management

• Workforce development and training to support expanding regional fleets

These themes reflect a broader industry shift toward data-driven maintenance, cost control, and improved fleet availability.

INTERNATIONAL EXPERTISE ON STAGE

The conference featured a wide range of stakeholders, including airlines, MRO organizations, OEMs, regulators, and advisory firms.

Participating organizations included the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Airways Technics, IATA, CentralAsia+Aero, VALLAIR Group, Lufthansa Consulting, 2TOP, China Southern Technic Xinjiang Base, Turkish Technic, Airbus, Setna iO, ST Engineering Aerospace Solutions, Ameco, Cee Bee, Aviator.KZ, Magnetic Group, Aviationscouts, Gandhi Automations – Hangar Doors, OMS Group, Skytec Aerospace, Asman Airlines, Callington Middle East FZE, and Fly Khiva Group.

Slideshow: ato comm

CentralAsia+ Aero earlier reported: Uzbek Air Force to receive first Embraer C-390 transport aircraft in 2026.

CentralAsia+ Aero earlier reported: 60% of Central Asian aircraft maintenance performed abroad – IATA.