Azeri flights unaffected by global crunch
Commercial flights to and from Azerbaijan have not
been reduced due to the global economic crisis, despite falling
numbers of flights in Europe, and even growth has been reported,
the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has concluded
after conducting a study in the region.
Azerbaijan is among a few countries where flight schedules remain stable, said participants of a recent seminar held in Chisinau, Moldova by ICAO`s Paris bureau for Europe and the north Atlantic region.
Azerbaijan Airlines (AzAL), which began flying in 1923 by offering a Baku-Tbilisi flight on board a German-made Junkers aircraft, had been part of Aeroflot airline until the republic gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. At the time, the airline was providing only local and regional flights within the USSR. Today, the state airline offers quality customer service complying with ICAO and International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards. The Heydar Aliyev International Airport of Baku is increasingly turning into a key hub linking East and West, and North and South, due to the advantages of its location and the services provided.
Close cooperation as part of intergovernmental and international programs has played a significant role in the improvement of Azerbaijan`s air traffic control system.
AzAL is extensively collaborating with many major international organizations, including ICAO, IATA, the European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL), and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO).
Unlike Azerbaijan, the world economic downturn has considerably affected airlines in most European and Asian countries. Karsten Theil, ICAO Regional Director, European and North Atlantic, says the reduced volumes of both passenger traffic and cargo has caused financial hardships for airlines. Through the airlines are making an effort to reduce costs, they have been unable to restore the pre-crisis situation.
``Naturally, this situation is directly affecting the logistics of the airline system, the skills and professionalism of staff, as well as flight safety,`` Theil said. ``It is therefore necessary to start talks and consultations on a transition to a new level of services, while keeping the fees unchanged. But, if no tangible changes occur in air transportation, ICAO will have to raise fees.``
IATA had predicted that airlines will face a loss of some $9 billion in 2009, though losses of $8.5 billion had already been recorded in the first half of the year.
Azerbaijan is among a few countries where flight schedules remain stable, said participants of a recent seminar held in Chisinau, Moldova by ICAO`s Paris bureau for Europe and the north Atlantic region.
Azerbaijan Airlines (AzAL), which began flying in 1923 by offering a Baku-Tbilisi flight on board a German-made Junkers aircraft, had been part of Aeroflot airline until the republic gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. At the time, the airline was providing only local and regional flights within the USSR. Today, the state airline offers quality customer service complying with ICAO and International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards. The Heydar Aliyev International Airport of Baku is increasingly turning into a key hub linking East and West, and North and South, due to the advantages of its location and the services provided.
Close cooperation as part of intergovernmental and international programs has played a significant role in the improvement of Azerbaijan`s air traffic control system.
AzAL is extensively collaborating with many major international organizations, including ICAO, IATA, the European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL), and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO).
Unlike Azerbaijan, the world economic downturn has considerably affected airlines in most European and Asian countries. Karsten Theil, ICAO Regional Director, European and North Atlantic, says the reduced volumes of both passenger traffic and cargo has caused financial hardships for airlines. Through the airlines are making an effort to reduce costs, they have been unable to restore the pre-crisis situation.
``Naturally, this situation is directly affecting the logistics of the airline system, the skills and professionalism of staff, as well as flight safety,`` Theil said. ``It is therefore necessary to start talks and consultations on a transition to a new level of services, while keeping the fees unchanged. But, if no tangible changes occur in air transportation, ICAO will have to raise fees.``
IATA had predicted that airlines will face a loss of some $9 billion in 2009, though losses of $8.5 billion had already been recorded in the first half of the year.
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