Baku, Rome strengthen air transport ties ahead of 2026 Winter Olympics Photo

On April 10, 2025, Samir Rzayev, President of Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), met with Luca Di Gianfrancesco, the Ambassador of Italy to Azerbaijan, to discuss the expansion of air transport cooperation between the two countries.

According to a statement from the press service of Azerbaijan Airlines, the meeting focused on strengthening bilateral ties in the aviation sector, with a particular emphasis on new opportunities for collaboration, Caliber.Az reports.

Both parties acknowledged that the expansion of air routes contributes significantly to the growth of economic, tourism, and cultural relations between Azerbaijan and Italy.

Rzayev noted that, as of April 1, AZAL had increased the frequency of flights on the Baku–Milan–Baku route to six per week, with daily flights scheduled to begin on May 13.

Ambassador Di Gianfrancesco highlighted the importance of further developing air connectivity, especially in light of the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

Currently, AZAL operates regular flights on the Baku–Milan–Baku route. In 2024, 252 flights were conducted on this route, carrying a total of 67,708 passengers. From January to March 2025, 67 flights were completed, with 15,236 passengers transported.

The meeting also covered discussions on the potential opening of new routes, promoting joint initiatives, and the prospects for regional integration.

By Aghakazim Guliyev