AZAL to receive new Airbus and Boeing aircraft by 2032

The fleet of Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC (AZAL) is set to be expanded with the delivery of new Airbus and Boeing aircraft by 2032, Vasif Manafli, Head of the Strategy and Business Development Department at AZAL, said, according to Report.

Speaking during the first session of the National Business Development Forum in Baku, which focused on the discussion of issues and proposals for the development of transport infrastructure, Manafli said currently the average age of our aircraft is 14 years, which negatively affects customer satisfaction and increases operating costs.

"As part of our fleet renewal efforts, three Airbus aircraft were put into operation in 2023. Significant steps have already been taken in this direction. One of the major achievements was the signing of contracts in 2023 with Airbus and Boeing for the purchase of more than 20 new aircraft. These deliveries are planned through to 2032," Manafli said.

AZAL was the first airline in the post-Soviet space to operate Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft.

According to the company’s strategic plan, by 2030 the AZAL fleet will consist of only two aircraft types: narrow-body Airbus A320neo family aircraft and wide-body Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

Currently, AZAL’s fleet includes 25 aircraft of various types. In addition, to meet growing passenger demand, the airline has temporarily leased three Airbus A320 aircraft.