Uzbekistan Airways and Silk Avia, a low-cost wing by Uzbekistan Helicopters, have been officially declared as monopolies in the domestic and international aviation markets after passing the 40% market share threshold.
The Dec. 13 decision, announced by the Competition Committee said that Uzbekistan Airways held a leading position in passenger, cargo, and postal transportation services on international routes. Similarly, both Uzbekistan Airways and Silk Avia dominate the domestic passenger transport market with over 40% market share.
According to the Article 13 of the Competition Law, a company or group of entities is deemed to have market dominance if they influence competition and restrict market access for other operators. Such dominance grants significant leverage in operational decisions, potentially limiting economic freedom for competitors.
The committee has instructed the Department for Control over Economic Concentration and State Participation in the Economy to notify both Uzbekistan Airways and Uzbekistan Helicopters within three days of the ruling.
The Committee emphasized that recognizing market dominance was a major milestone toward ensuring fair competition and enhancing a level-playing business environment. The move aligns with regulatory measures aimed at preventing market imbalances caused by monopolistic practices.
