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June 2 - Azerbaijan Civil Aviation Day

Azerbaijan`s rapid development and its turning into the regional leader in all areas including civil aviation is common knowledge.

The country makes huge investments in the development of air transport. From 2003 the civil aviation of Azerbaijan entered a stage of intensive development. In 2004 an international airport meeting international standards was commissioned in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Thereafter airports were consecutively put into operation in Ganja, Zagatala, Lankaran and Gabala. In order to improve passenger and cargo services, the aircraft and helicopter fleet was renewed. Procurement of the most modern jetliners is expected in the forthcoming two years.

``Our strategy is vividly demonstrated in the construction of airports as well as reconstruction of Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku, building of new terminal complexes and runways,`` Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev told the opening of the Gabala airport late last year. ``Azerbaijan makes rational use of its geographical location, and the reforms that are carried out in the transport sector provide for these realities. We do not only build airports but also procure new modern aircraft for the country. In past years the most modern and best aircraft such as Boeing, Airbus and ATR have been delivered. We can say that our aircraft fleet has been fully renewed and currently corresponds to the highest level.``

At the end of April, a brand new runway was inaugurated at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in a ceremony attended by President Ilham Aliyev. According to Jahangir Askerov, Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) President, the runway will ensure landing of the heaviest and most modern aircraft. The runway is 4,000 meters long and 75 meters wide, and its area comprises 325,500 square meters.

Construction of a new air terminal which is due to be launched in spring 2013 is still in progress. After the project is implemented, the Baku international airport will service about 3 million passengers annually. The new terminal will encompass 58,000 square meters. The four-story building will be constructed in the shape of a triangle. The facility will have 18 escalators and 20 passenger elevators, and the latest scientific and technical achievements in international aviation will be applied there. Services meeting the highest standards will be provided to passengers. Use of cutting edge equipment will provide suitable conditions for ensuring flight safety. The new complex will have the capacity to receive up to eight airplanes simultaneously.

In addition to the construction of a new terminal, the existing one has been fully upgraded. In the frames of the project, extensive restoration and overhaul work was carried out, giving the airport building a more modern appearance.