AZAL, KPMG mull Open Skies project between Azerbaijan, Europe
On November 6, President of AZAL Jahangir Asgarov met with representatives of KPMG Azerbaijan – Senior Managers, Farid Bakhshiyev and Andrey Ivanov.
The main topic of the negotiations was the details of Open Skies Agreement between Azerbaijan and Europe. By the order of the government of Azerbaijan, KPMG acts as a consultant on this project.
According to Jahangir Asgarov, there is a view that AZAL fears the consequences of signing the Open Skies Agreement with Europe. "I officially declare that there are no restrictions on flights to Azerbaijan for any airline. I will say more - foreign carriers are even provided with extended commercial rights of freedom of the air," said the AZAL President.
In particular, Azerbaijan is one of the few countries that provides foreign airlines with the fifth (transit via Baku) and even the maximum eighth freedom of the air (the right to operate flights within the country).
"Once again I would like to mention that the airports of Azerbaijan are open to all airlines, we welcome all new air carriers in our market," said Jahangir Asgarov.
According to Farid Bakhshiyev, Senior Manager at KPMG Azerbaijan, an extensive analysis of international practice was carried out to determine the effect of Open Skies on the airline industry, recommendations and a road map were prepared to mitigate the possible consequences of this project.