History of CJSC Azerbaijan Airlines

Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC (AZAL) is a key infrastructure of Azerbaijan's civil aviation and a full member of the international aviation community.

Currently, AZAL CJSC includes the following structures: National air carrier Azerbaijan Airlines, the low-cost air carrier of Azerbaijan Buta Airways, Azeraeronavigation (AZANS) Air Traffic Control Department, National Academy of Aviation, General Aviation Security Administration, AZALOIL Fuels and Lubricants Administration, Heydar Aliyev International Airport, Ganja International Airport, Lankaran International Airport, Zagatala International Airport, Gabala International Airport, Füzuli International Airport, Zəngilan International Airport, Laçin International Airport, Yevlakh airport, Branches and Representative Offices.

Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) is a major air carrier and one of the leaders in the aviation community of the CIS countries with the most modern aircraft fleet. It is among the leaders of the civil aviation industry in terms of the quality of passenger service. This is confirmed by the high positions in the recognized international rating according to Skytrax.

The dynamically developing airline has repeatedly confirmed its prestigious “4 Stars” rating from the British consulting company Skytrax.

Azerbaijan Airlines is always working on expanding its route network – in addition to many regular destinations, the carrier often opens new seasonal and charter routes.

AZAL offers its passengers the most up-to-date services, as well as a full range of technological solutions in order to make travel as comfortable as possible.

Azerbaijan's civil aviation aircraft fully comply with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and AZAL is a member of the most prestigious civil aviation association - the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The national air carrier of Azerbaijan is also a member of the Board of the Azerbaijan Tourism Association (AZTA).

AZAL headquarters is in Baku, at Heydar Aliyev International Airport that meets the high international standards.

Awarded the highest award from the Skytrax World Airport Awards – "5 stars" Heydar Aliyev International Airport has also repeatedly topped the rating of the best airports in the CIS countries.

 

The history of the airline and CJSC Azerbaijan Airlines

In April 1992, after gaining independence, a state aviation body - State Concern Azerbaijan Airlines (Azərbaycan Hava Yolları) was established in Azerbaijan by the decision of the government of the Republic.

In 1996, Azeraeronavigation Air Traffic Control Center was established as part of the Azerbaijan Airlines State Concern.

In 1997, AZALOIL was established as part of Azerbaijan Airlines.

In 1999, a new international terminal was opened at the Baku airport.

In 2000, Azerbaijan Airlines received the first Boeing 757-200 aircrafts.

In 2004, by the decision of President Ilham Aliyev, "Bina" Airport in Baku was named "Heydar Aliyev International Airport".

In 2004, the airport in the city of Nakhchivan received the status of international air hub.

In 2005, a new cargo terminal (Baku Cargo Terminal) was opened at Heydar Aliyev International Airport.

In 2006, Ganja International Airport was reconstructed.

In April 2008, by the order of the Azerbaijani President, AZAL state concern was reorganized into CJSC Azerbaijan Airlines.

In 2009, airports in Zagatala and Lankaran received international status after major reconstruction.

In 2011 Azerbaijan Airlines received the European service standard from the European Economic Chamber of Trade, Commerce and Industry (EEIG).

In 2011, Azerbaijan Airlines received Boeing 767-300ER aircrafts.

In 2012, an international airport was built in Gabala.

In 2013, Azerbaijan Airlines received Airbus A340-500 long-haul passenger aircrafts.

In 2013, "Azalagro" airline company was opened in Yevlakh.

In 2014 the new airport terminal of Heydar Aliyev International Airport (Terminal 1) was put into operation.

In 2014, the fleet of Azerbaijan Airlines replenished with modern Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircrafts.

In 2014, Azerbaijan Airlines received jet planes from the Brazilian manufacturer Embraer 190 and Embraer 170.

In 2014, Azerbaijan Airlines began to carry out regular transatlantic flights from Baku to New York.

In 2015, British consulting company Skytrax, the world-famous and most influential in assessing the quality of airline services, awarded Azerbaijani national carrier and Heydar Aliyev International Airport a prestigious "4 stars" rating.

In 2016, Azerbaijan signed the Open Skies agreement with the United States of America.

In 2016, Nakhchivan International Airport was reconstructed. Telescopic passenger boarding bridges appeared at the airport for the first time.

In 2016, it was decided to create Azerbaijan's first low–cost airline Buta Airways as part of AZAL CJSC.

In 2017 Skytrax named the Heydar Aliyev International Airport the best among all airports in Russia and CIS countries.

In 2017, lowcoster Buta Airways, which is part of AZAL CJSC, started to carry out flights.

In 2018, the official opening of Azerbaijan Airspace Supervision and Efficiency Center (ASEC) took place at Heydar Aliyev International Airport.

In 2018, the European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol) and AZANS have signed an agreement officially recognizing Azerbaijan as a partner of EUROCONTROL.

In 2018, Heydar Aliyev International Airport was awarded the "5 Stars" category by Skytrax.

In 2018, Heydar Aliyev International Airport was recognized by the British company Skytrax as the best among the airports of the CIS countries and Russia.

In 2018, British consulting company Skytrax has confirmed the prestigious 4 Star rating of the passenger airline “Azerbaijan Airlines”.

In 2018, the passenger airline “Azerbaijan Airlines” was recognized by Skytrax as the Best Regional Airline in Central Asia and India.

In 2019, the passenger airline “Azerbaijan Airlines” was recognized by Skytrax as the Best Regional Airline in Central Asia and India.

In 2019, the so-called fifth and seventh freedoms of airspace began operating at the international airports of countries.

In 2020, British consulting company Skytrax has confirmed the prestigious 4 Star rating of the passenger airline “Azerbaijan Airlines”.

In 2020, the passenger airline “Azerbaijan Airlines” was recognized as the most punctual airline in Europe according to the aviation analytical and reference publication Official Airline Guide (OAG).

In 2020, Heydar Aliyev International Airport was the first airport in the world to completely switch to cloud technologies.

In 2020, ICAO confirmed the request of the State Civil Aviation Administration to include the new Fizuli International Airport in the catalogue of international location indices.

In 2020, Heydar Aliyev International Airport confirmed the “5 Stars” status from British consulting company Skytrax.

In 2020, the status of Heydar Aliyev International Airport was confirmed by Skytrax as the best among the airports of the CIS countries and Russia.

In 2021, Heydar Aliyev International Airport gained the highest 5 Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating.

In 2021, the radio call signs of the national navigation systems were again transmitted in the sky over Karabakh after a prolonged period of calm. The aircrafts of the flag carrier of Azerbaijan (AZAL) were the first to receive these signals.

In 2021, the international airport in Ganja has been assigned a new IATA code.

In October 2021, opened International Airport in Fuzuli.

In 2022, for the fifth time in a row, Heydar Aliyev International Airport has topped the rating of the best airports in Central Asia and CIS countries according to the Skytrax 2022 World Airport Awards. Also, for the first time this year, Baku airport won another important nomination – “Best Airport Staff in Central Asia & CIS”.

In September 2022, AZAL and the first low-cost air carrier of the country Buta Airways won in the nominations of “Best Regional Airline in Central Asia and the CIS” and “Best Low-Cost Airline in Central Asia and the CIS” at Skytrax 2022 World Airline Awards.

In October 2022, International Airport in Zangilan was opened.