Azerbaijan and other countries in Central Asia need a clear aviation strategy that allows them to objectively assess their capabilities and competitive advantages, said Rafael Schvartzman, Regional Vice President for Europe at the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Speaking to Report's correspondent on the sidelines of the 82nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit (WATS) of IATA, Schvartzman said that while most countries aim to become aviation hubs, not all can realistically achieve this goal.
"Every country dreams of becoming a hub. But for Azerbaijan today, a more important task is developing air connectivity. We need to look at the situation realistically: not all Central Asian countries can simultaneously become international hubs.
Therefore, Azerbaijan, like others in the region, needs a clear aviation strategy that allows a realistic assessment of its position. It is extremely difficult to replicate successful models, as the largest aviation hubs already have strong competitive advantages," he said.
He added that intra-regional air connectivity remains underdeveloped and could represent a key growth opportunity.
"Perhaps improving regional connectivity is the main reserve for growth. Countries should focus on this direction. If we look at Kazakhstan, a significant part of its connectivity is supported by a large domestic market, which also supports international routes. I am not sure Azerbaijan has a comparable domestic market, but domestic demand often becomes the foundation for developing international networks," he noted.
Schvartzman also stressed that comparing Azerbaijan to Dubai and trying to replicate its model is not realistic.
"Copying Dubai or other global aviation hubs is practically impossible. The key question is not whether Azerbaijan will become a hub, but what kind of transport node it wants to be. For this, a clear master plan and understanding of final goals are needed," he said.
He further emphasized the importance of long-term planning and prioritization in aviation development, noting that not all airports in a country can be developed simultaneously.
"Uzbekistan, for example, has done significant work modernizing Samarkand airport, but flight numbers still do not match its potential. In Kazakhstan, discussions continue about future aviation infrastructure, including a possible second runway in Astana or even a new airport. All this shows how important strategic planning is for the successful development of the industry," he concluded.