Lachin’s first airport takes shape with grand viaduct construction underway VIDEO

New visuals released from Lachin district in Azerbaijan offer a striking glimpse into the ongoing construction of the region’s first airfield — and, in particular, the ambitious viaduct that will serve as the gateway to the terminal building.

The footage highlights the progress on the grandiose viaduct, a key component of Lachin International Airport, which is on track to become a major transport hub in the Karabakh region, Caliber.Az reports.

The airport will feature a modern infrastructure including a concrete runway and taxiways, an air traffic control tower, and a fully equipped terminal. When complete, the runway will stretch 3,000 meters in length and 60 meters in width, allowing the airport to accommodate various aircraft and handle up to 200 passengers per hour.

Lachin International Airport marks the third international airport project launched in Karabakh. Its foundation was laid in 2021 by Azerbaijan’s President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev. The completion of construction is targeted for 2025.

The Lachin district — a picturesque part of southwestern Azerbaijan in the Lesser Caucasus — spans 1,835 square kilometers and includes a city, a settlement, and 125 villages. It borders Kalbajar to the north, Gubadli to the south, Khojaly, Shusha, and Khojavend to the east, and Armenia to the west.

Lachin endured significant destruction during nearly three decades of Armenian occupation. On May 18, 1992, Armenian forces seized the district. Prior to the occupation, Lachin had a well-developed infrastructure, including 48 industrial enterprises, 63 agricultural units, 217 cultural institutions, 101 educational centers, 142 healthcare facilities, 462 trade outlets, 96 household service sites, and 30 communication stations.

During the occupation, 13,745 residential homes were looted or burned. Over 250 historical monuments — including 54 of world importance — were desecrated. Additionally, Armenians destroyed livestock infrastructure, seizing or killing more than 25,000 cattle and over 200,000 other farm animals.

Azerbaijan’s counteroffensive launched on September 27, 2020, turned the tide. Advancing through the Arazboyu region, Azerbaijani troops entered the neighboring Gubadli district in October and moved toward the Lachin corridor.

On November 9, 2020, Azerbaijani forces liberated the villages of Gulabird, Safiyan, and Turkler in Lachin. The following day, a trilateral statement was signed by the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia, stipulating that the remainder of the Lachin district — excluding Lachin city, Zabukh, and Sus villages — be returned to Azerbaijan by December 1, 2020.

On August 26, 2022, the city of Lachin and the villages of Zabukh and Sus, which were illegally settled by Armenians, were also peacefully returned to Azerbaijan.

Now, with the construction of the Lachin International Airport underway, the region is taking another major step toward revitalization and reintegration into Azerbaijan’s national framework — this time, through infrastructure that connects it to the world.

By Tamilla Hasanova