Azerbaijan, Iran mull direct flight from Tabriz to Baku

Azerbaijan and Iran consider launching a direct flight from Tabriz to Baku, Governor of Iran’s East Azerbaijan Province, Bahram Sarmast, has announced.

He stated that this move could significantly contribute to the development of economic and tourism relations between the two countries, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

Sarmast also noted that an agreement has been reached on student exchange between Iranian and Azerbaijani universities.

"During Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to Baku, discussions focused on areas of cooperation such as simplifying border crossing procedures for Iranian students studying in Azerbaijan, student exchange between Iranian and Azerbaijani universities, and the implementation of joint scientific research and technological projects," Sarmast said.

Azerbaijan and Iran share a long border and deep historical, cultural, and economic ties—particularly in the northwest region of Iran, where a significant Azerbaijani-speaking population resides, including in the city of Tabriz. Over the years, both countries have made efforts to enhance bilateral cooperation despite occasional political tensions. Transportation links have often been a key focus, seen as a means to boost trade, tourism, and people-to-people contact.

Tabriz, the capital of Iran’s East Azerbaijan Province, is a major cultural and economic hub with close ethnic and linguistic ties to the Republic of Azerbaijan. Establishing a direct flight between Tabriz and Baku aligns with broader regional efforts to improve connectivity in the South Caucasus and promote cross-border academic, economic, and scientific collaboration.

The recent election of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who hails from the Azerbaijani-speaking community of Iran, is seen by some observers as an opportunity to deepen Iran's engagement with Azerbaijan.  

By Khagan Isayev