Azerbaijan Airlines unveils ambitious plan to revamp fleet with Airbus, Boeing

Head of the Strategy and Business Development Department at Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) Vasif Manafli has said that AZAL announced plans to receive new Airbus and Boeing aircraft by 2032, aiming to modernise its fleet and enhance operational efficiency.  

Manafli made these remarks during the first session of the National Business Development Forum in Baku, Caliber.Az reports via local media. 

The forum, which focused on “Discussion of Issues and Proposals for Transport Infrastructure Development”, provided a platform for highlighting the airline's future strategies. Currently, the average age of AZAL’s fleet is 14 years, which has led to increased operational costs and lower customer satisfaction.

To address this, AZAL introduced three new Airbus aircraft in 2023 as part of its ongoing fleet renewal efforts. The airline has already taken significant steps by signing contracts with both Airbus and Boeing for the acquisition of more than 20 new aircraft, with deliveries set to take place by 2032. 

AZAL has made notable strides in fleet diversification, becoming the first airline in the post-Soviet region to operate the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. According to AZAL’s strategic plan, the fleet will be streamlined by 2030 to include only two aircraft models: the narrow-body Airbus A320 Neo family and the wide-body Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Currently, AZAL’s fleet consists of 25 aircraft of various types. In response to increasing passenger demand, the airline has also temporarily leased three Airbus A320 aircraft to further boost capacity and meet growing traffic.

Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) is the national flag carrier and largest airline of Azerbaijan, headquartered in Baku at Heydar Aliyev International Airport. Established on April 7, 1992, AZAL emerged from the regional branch of Aeroflot following Azerbaijan's independence. The airline operates a diverse fleet of aircraft, including Airbus A320s, Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, and the world's last Airbus A340-500. AZAL serves over 55 destinations across Asia, Europe, and the CIS region, and is a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The airline has been recognised with a 4-star rating from Skytrax, reflecting its commitment to passenger service and operational excellence. 

By Naila Huseynova