Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), the biggest Azerbaijani airline and national flag carrier, plans to open direct flights to the U.S. starting from September 24.

The news was announced by AZAL on July 15. The direct flights will be carried out through Baku-New York route, AZAL told Trend Agency.

Earlier, AZAL had got permission from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to carry out direct flights to the U.S.

FAA experts noted that Azerbaijan's aviation safety level corresponds to international standards.

Direct flights to New York will be the first flight from South Caucasus to North America, and will strengthen the status of AZAL as a regional leader in the air passenger transportation.

Also, the opening of direct flights between the U.S. and Azerbaijan amounts to positive development for both sides as such flights can promote partnerships, trade, tourism, and economic growth in both countries.

AZAL expands fleet

AZAL have purchased two additional E190 jets of Brazilian Embraer. The relevant agreement worth $95.4 million was signed between the two companies on July 15, Embraer said.

President of AZAL Jahangir Askerov said these additional E190 jets are the latest step in the company's renewal plan to replace turboprops and narrow-bodies on a number of routes within its schedules.

"We have received excellent feedback from our passengers who fly with the E190s. In addition the aircraft offers excellent operating economics and provides us with the opportunity to open up new routes to European destinations", he said.

The aircraft will be deployed on AZAL's international network from Heydar Aliyev International Airport. After purchasing these jets, AZAL will operate six E190-model aircrafts.

AZAL's E190 aircrafts will be configured in a dual class layout and will operate en route Baku -Prague, Baku -Milan or Baku - Rome.

As a regional and CIS leader in terms of the number of new aircrafts, AZAL offers its passenger flights to European countries, the CIS, Middle East, and Asia.

The company cooperates with about 60 airlines to provide its passengers with an opportunity to travel freely around the world.

Currently, AZAL's fleet consists of Boeing 757-200, Boeing 767-300, Airbus 319, Airbus A320, Airbus A340-500, Embraer ERJ 170-100LR and Embraer ERJ 190-100.