Azerbaijan Airlines

Azerbaijan Airlines (Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan Hava Yolları), also known as AZAL, is the national flag carrier and largest airline of Azerbaijan. Based in Baku, adjacent to Heydar Aliyev International Airport, the carrier operates to destinations across Asia, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and Europe.
The airline was founded on 7 April 1992 as the first national airline established after the country gained independence. The state-owned company was privatized in the 2000s, during which ownership of the company's assets ended up in the hands of companies owned by family members of Azerbaijani political elites, including President Ilham Aliyev's daughter Arzu Aliyeva.
Azerbaijan Airlines has received a 4-Star Airline rating from Skytrax for the quality of its airport and onboard product, as well as its staff service. The rating evaluates factors such as seat comfort, amenities, food and beverages, in-flight entertainment, and cleanliness. It also assesses service standards for both cabin crew and ground staff. In addition, AZAL has won multiple awards for the Best Airline in Central Asia and CIS.
The first air squadron in Azerbaijan was formed on 2 June 1938. This date was declared the Azerbaijan Civil Aviation Day under the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2006. During the period from 1941 to 1945 Azerbaijan aviation worked under the motto "All for the Front".
In 1990, Azerbaijan announced that it was setting up its own airline, and that it would be independent of Aeroflot, the long-time provider of air services for the Soviet republics. Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) was officially established on 17 August 1992. Its first president was Vagif Sadykhly.
Formed from the regional branch of Aeroflot, Azerbaijan Airlines, also known as Azerbaijan Hava Yollari, soon spread its wings into the world outside the Soviet Union, which had been Aeroflot's exclusive domain. A scheduled Baku-Istanbul route was launched in January 1991 in partnership with Turkish Airlines, and the cargo enterprise Aviasharg was created in cooperation with the United Arab Emirates. AZAL inherited a huge fleet from Aeroflot, including more than 20 Soviet-made Tupolev airliners, some regional airliners and freighters, 90 light aircraft, and 50 helicopters. It was quick to lease a pair of Boeing 727s, however, that once belonged to Pan Am (and were built in 1968). AZAL had an extensive involvement with the Farhad Azim associated Aviation Leasing Group (ALG), a U.S.-based lessor of Boeing 727s. It had a transatlantic charter cargo joint venture with ALG's Buffalo Airways, which was also training AZAL aircrews to Western standards in Dallas, Texas.
In November 1994, AZAL began a route to Dubai, which, along with Istanbul, was a key source of Western goods. It was soon also flying to Tehran, Tel Aviv, Saint Petersburg, London, and China. Service to several regional destinations was suspended in mid-1998, due to low margins and the need to repair three Yak-40 aircraft. With the exception of a few major cities, service to neighboring CIS countries was suspended in January 1999, due to debt. These routes were generally unprofitable as well, and were facing new competition from trains. According to the Trend News Agency, domestic flights accounted for only about 16 percent of AZAL's traffic in 1998.
Azerbaijan's border dispute with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh had delayed financing for two new Boeing 757s from the U.S. Ex-Im Bank. The $66 million loan guarantee was the Ex-Im Bank's first transaction for Azerbaijan, according to Air Transport Intelligence. The financing was also guaranteed by the Azerbaijan government and the International Bank of Azerbaijan. The United Kingdom's Export Credits Guarantee Department guaranteed financing for Rolls-Royce engines, utilized by both Boeing 757s.
The first of the 757s was delivered in the fall of 2000. The planes offered the carrier unprecedented range, comfort, and efficiency on long-haul international routes. They also helped project a modern image to the world. The second Boeing 757 to be delivered arrived in December laden with medical supplies due to a recent earthquake in Azerbaijan. In January 2001, AZAL used one of the planes to begin operating a Paris-Baku route in collaboration with Air France.
After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Azerbaijan, like other nations, experienced a noticeable decline in air travel. AZAL was able to remain profitable through 2001, however, and even make progress toward paying off its debt. The airline was soon shopping for more new aircraft as it retired its aging Soviet models. AZAL ordered its first Western-made helicopters in October 2002, purchasing six for EUR 52 million from Eurocopter. AZAL used helicopters to ferry personnel and equipment out to oil rigs in the Caspian Sea.
The state-owned company was privatized in the 2000s, during which ownership of the company's assets ended up in the hands of companies owned by family members of Azerbaijani political elites, including President Ilham Aliyev's daughter Arzu Aliyeva.
In July 2004, two of AZAL's airliners were impounded by Turkey over a 12-year-old debt owed by Azerbaijan's Agriculture Ministry to a Turkish company. In the same month, AZAL ordered new Ukrainian-made, 52-passenger Antonov An-140 turboprops to replenish its regional fleet, paying about $36 million for four planes.
On 22 July 2010, Boeing and Azerbaijan Airlines signed an agreement to substitute two Next-Generation 737 airplanes for one 767-300ER (extended range) and two 767 Freighters. Including this announcement, Azerbaijan Airlines had a total of eight Boeing airplanes on order: two 767-300ERs, two 767 Freighters, two Next-Generation 737s and two 787-8s. In September 2010, AZAL cancelled an order for the remaining two Next-Generation 737s.
Azerbaijan Airlines began direct flights between Baku and Beijing on May 10, 2013, launching direct flights to Beijing Capital International Airport and the first ever service to East Asia. The route was flown twice a week using Airbus A340 and Boeing 767 aircraft. The new route provided direct flights between Azerbaijan and China, fostering closer business and tourism exchanges between the two countries. However, at some point in time, their flights were canceled due to increased control from Chinese authorities. Later on, the service continued, and as of February 2025, it operates flights along the Baku-Beijing route twice per week-on Tuesday and Sunday, reconnecting the country to East Asia once again.
On 23 and 24 December 2014, Azerbaijan Airlines took delivery of the two Boeing 787 Dreamliners it had on order. The airline also launched its Premium economy product along with the introduction of the 787. On 12 November 2017, Boeing agreed to sell five 787-8 aircraft to Azerbaijan Airlines, valued at about $1.9 billion at list prices.
In December 2016, Azerbaijan Airlines announced the creation of a low-cost carrier, AZALJet, to expand its service offerings. However, after one year of operation, it was decided that AZALJet would be replaced by Buta Airways, a new airline that operated Embraer aircraft. Buta Airways featured its own livery, was staffed independently, and followed a separate tariff policy. On 16 January 2018, Buta Airways commenced its first European service with a weekly flight to Sofia. Azerbaijan Airlines and Buta Airways would win in the nomination of “Best Regional Airline in Central Asia and CIS” and “Best Low-Cost Airline in Central Asia and CIS” at Skytrax 2022 World Airline Awards. On 28 July 2023, it was announced that Azerbaijan Airlines and Buta Airways would merge into a single brand, AZAL, with the consolidation set to take place in October of the same year.
In June 2024, AZAL was awarded the title of "Best Regional Airline in Central Asia and the CIS" at the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2024 for the second consecutive time. A month later, AZAL started regular flights to Karabakh, marking the first instance of Azerbaijani commercial travel to the region since the end of hostilities. The airline began operating scheduled flights between Baku and Fuzuli city, providing direct access to Karabakh and connecting Heydar Aliyev International Airport to Fuzuli International Airport.
Azerbaijan Airlines is set to launch direct flights between Heydar Aliyev International Airport, and Incheon International Airport which serves the Seoul Metropolitan Area in South Korea in May-July 2025, as reported by the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan. These flights will be operated once a week, on Fridays, and will continue until mid-July 2025. The announcement was made during a tourism event in Seoul, organized by the Azerbaijan Tourism Board, aimed at promoting Azerbaijan’s tourism potential. The event was attended by representatives from South Korea’s tourism industry, media, influencers, and leading Azerbaijani tourism companies. During the event, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to South Korea, Ramin Hasanov, emphasized that the introduction of direct flights would contribute to strengthening bilateral relations and boosting tourism exchanges between the two nations.
The Supervisory Board oversees the strategic direction and governance of AZAL. As of March 30, 2021, the composition of the Supervisory Board was approved by President Ilham Aliyev, with Rashad Nabiyev, the Minister of Transport, Communications, and High Technologies of the Republic of Azerbaijan, serving as the Chairman. The list of members of the board include Khalid Ahadov, assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Elnur Aliyev, Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Rahman Hummatov, Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ruslan Alikhanov, Executive Director of Azerbaijan Investment Holding, Anar Novruzov, Deputy CEO of Azerbaijan Investment Holding, and Fikrat Shirinov, who is the Head of the Tax Policy and Revenue Department of the Office of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan Airlines features Sales and Office & Represenation offices across the world, of which large portion are located within the boundaries of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Sales offices in Azerbaijan are located in the cities of Baku, Ganja, and Nakhchivan, while Office & Representation offices are located in Baku, Ganja, Lankaran, Sumgait, and Nakhchivan. Sales offices are found in throughout Eurasia, as well as the United States. In Russia, they are situated in the cities of Kazan, Mineralniye Vody, Yekaterinburg, Krasnoyarsk, Moscow, Novosibirsk, Astrakhan, Saint-Petersburg, Perm and Nijniy Novgorod. There are also offices in China, Belarus, Belgium, Iran, France, Netherlands, Georgia, Italy, Germany, Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Israel, Ukraine, India, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea with its office being positioned in the capital city of Seoul at Gimpo International Airport, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, United States and Pakistan. Office & Represenation offices are found in all earlier listed countries and Austria, except for Belgium, Netherlands, India, Japan, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan.
Azerbaijan Airlines operates through several subdivisions, each responsible for key aspects of the airline and aviation sector in Azerbaijan. General Aviation Security Administration is responsible for the safety of general aviation flights. National Air Carrier Azerbaijan Airlines is the primary division operating on behalf of the airline flights. The National Aviation Academy offers training in various fields of aviation, including flight training, airport management, and aviation maintenance, to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for the aviation industry. The Azeraeronavigation (AZANS) Air Traffic Control Department, established in 1996, is tasked with controlling air traffic in the airspace of Azerbaijan, guiding aircraft during takeoff, landing, and en route while traveling through the airspace to ensure safe flight operations. Lastly, the AZALOIL Fuels and Lubricants Administration is tasked with providing and administering aviation lubricants and fuels and ensuring that all fuel is functioning and safe.
Azerbaijan Airlines codeshares with the following airlines:
Azerbaijan Airlines has interline agreements with the following airlines:
Azerbaijan Airlines features three travel classes – Economy Class, Premium Economy, and Business Class. AZAL also offers a Class Upgrade service, available exclusively at their sales offices and official agencies. Economy Class passengers can enhance their travel experience by upgrading to Business Class or Premium Economy. Additionally, Premium Economy passengers can upgrade to Business Class. By choosing the Class Upgrade service, travelers also gain access to the AZAL Lounge at Heydar Aliyev International Airport. Passengers can upgrade their class of service after purchasing a ticket by contacting Customer Care at least 24 hours before the scheduled flight departure. Upgrades can also be requested during check-in at the airport or on board the aircraft before departure by consulting with the cabin crew.
Economy Class on Azerbaijan Airlines offers a range of features and services at an affordable price. Economy Class seats provide legroom and are designed with reclining features and adjustable headrests. Economy Class in Boeing 787 and Boeing 767 aircraft features 10.6-inch touch screen monitors that offer access to a catalog of films, television series, music, and audio recordings. Airbus 319, Airbus 320, and Boeing 757 planes offer overhead monitors and access to multimedia content via "Wi-Fi Streaming." Azerbaijan Airlines provides passengers with Azerbaijani publications, with the selection varying based on the flight route. Economy Class passengers receive a free baggage allowance based on ticket price. Additional baggage is available for an additional cost. Meals and beverages are offered on board, depending on the departure time and destination. Special meals are available to suit dietary requirements at least 24 hours before departure.
Premium Economy Class on Azerbaijan Airlines includes seats with extra legroom and wide-angle recline. Passengers receive priority check-in and boarding at airports, as well as priority lane service on departure from Terminal 1 of Heydar Aliyev International Airport and fast track service on arrival. Access to the AZAL Lounge at Terminal 1 of Heydar Aliyev International Airport is provided, along with priority check-in and baggage handling. Premium Economy passengers can also access Business Class Lounges at airports where the service is available. The class includes an increased free baggage allowance. Meals and beverages in Premium Economy Class are served on porcelain, and passengers receive a hot towel before each meal. Each Premium Economy Class seat on Boeing 787 aircraft has a 10.6-inch touch screen display with a selection of movies, TV programs, music, and audio recordings. Azerbaijani publications are offered, with the selection varying depending on the flight route. On long-haul flights, passengers receive a travel kit containing personal hygiene items, cosmetic products, and accessories. Children up to 6 years old receive a soft toy, while children aged 6-10 receive a children's kit.
Business Class on Azerbaijan Airlines provides seats with extra legroom and wide-angle recline. Business Class passengers are provided with priority check-in and boarding at airports, as well as use of AZAL Lounge at Terminal 1 of Heydar Aliyev International Airport. Priority lane service upon departure and fast track service upon arrival are also available. Business Class passengers have access to Business Class Lounges at airports where the service is provided. An increased free baggage allowance is included. Meals are served along with a variety of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, including champagne, whiskey, cognac, vodka, gin, beer, liqueur, soft drinks, and local and international wines. A selection of hot drinks is also available. In-flight entertainment includes a selection of recent and classic movies, TV programs, music, and audio recordings. Azerbaijani publications are offered, with the selection varying depending on the flight route. On long-haul flights, passengers receive a travel kit containing personal hygiene items, cosmetic products, and accessories. Children up to 6 years old receive a soft toy, while children aged 6-10 receive a children's kit.
Azerbaijan Airlines offers a range of media content to provide entertainment during the flight. It includes newly released Hollywood movies, foreign movies, educational documentaries, comedies, music videos, soundtracks, and miscellaneous media files in several language alternatives. Younger travelers also get access to games, cartoons, and animations within the entertainment collection.
AZAL Miles is the frequent-flyer program of Azerbaijan Airlines, featuring five status levels. The program allows members to earn flight miles and status points when flying with Azerbaijan Airlines. Accumulated flight miles can be redeemed for award tickets or other privileges. Award tickets are available for round-trip or one-way international travel but cannot be used for charter, transit, or domestic flights. They are valid for one year from the departure date. The number of flight miles required for award tickets is the same for adults and children. These tickets can only be purchased in the name of the member or their family account members, with the head of the family account authorized to make purchases on behalf of themselves and their family members.
Some of the benefits avaliable to AZAL Miles members include earning bonus flight miles, free of charge changes and refunds on award tickets, and eligibility for cabin upgrades. Access to airport lounges, priority check-in and boarding, and the ability to book seats in advance are also offered to members. Additional benefits include fast track services, additional baggage allowances, and priority baggage handling. The program also offers features such as inviting friends, birthday miles, and a family account to manage miles collectively. Members can recover tickets after flights, reclaim lost miles, and transfer flight miles across accounts. Flight miles can also be converted into status points, and both status points and flight miles can be purchased.
As of December 2024, the Azerbaijan Airlines fleet consists of the following aircraft:
Additionally, the airline operates a dedicated VIP fleet on behalf of the government:
Azerbaijan Airlines used to operate a number of aircraft, its most common aircraft used to be the Tupolev Tu-154 until it was retired in 2013. All the aircraft the airline used to operate since its foundation are listed below.
Media related to Azerbaijan Airlines at Wikimedia Commons