Azernews.Az

By Sara Israfilbayova

Baku is hosting the 10th meeting of the European Regional Expert Safety Team of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The event, to last until October 6, is organized with the support of the State Civil Aviation Administration of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC (AZAL), Interstate Council on Aviation and Airspace Use and the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC), the Administration reported.

Sixty-five experts from 15 countries, five international and regional organizations (ICAO, IAC, EASA, IATA, Eurocontrol), as well as representatives of big aircraft manufacturers, Boeing and Airbus, are participating in the event.

The first day of the conference saw approval of the results of the group’s work and planning of further ways of implementing safety initiatives at the regional level.

Representatives of the Azerbaijani aviation administration, ICAO, IATA, IAC, Eurocontrol and other officials presented reports.

The ICAO EUR Regional Expert Safety Team (IE-REST) was created in 2013. Its main goal is to develop and support initiatives and activities to improve the flight safety level. Currently, such activities are implemented through joint efforts of regional and international organizations, regulatory bodies, airlines and aircraft manufacturers.

Azerbaijan is experiencing an era of development in civil aviation. If earlier Azerbaijan Airlines AZAL provided passengers with ordinary flights, today the national carrier’s customers enjoy AZALJET, low-cost brand and only recently Buta Airways joined their ranks, as 100-percent owned subsidiary company of AZAL.

Being a natural catalyst for the economic growth and development of Azerbaijan, civil aviation plays a crucial role in the country's socio-economic development, in particular in the development of tourism and business.

The country’s favorable geographical location, which creates good opportunities in terms of the establishment of the regional transport infrastructure and logistics, the further development of civil aviation is an important part of the country's economic strategy.

AZAL, a major air carrier and one of the leaders of the aviation community of CIS countries, is taking advantage of government support and is now one of the major companies not only in the region but also across the globe.

Total route network of the airline is 40 destinations in 25 countries. In 2016, Azerbaijan Airlines carried over 2 million passengers. And the number of its flights is increasing.

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