CAERC: Lachin International Airport has strategic importance

Lachin International Airport is of great political and strategic importance, said Agil Asadov, a department head at the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication of Azerbaijan (CAERC), while commenting on the opening of the airport, Report informs.

"Lachin city is close to both the border with Armenia and many liberated districts. The airport is located 30 kilometers from Lachin city, 70 kilometers from Shusha, and 60 kilometers from Kalbajar. In addition to its strategic purpose, this airport will contribute to the development of the region's tourism potential in the future and the access of goods produced in the region to local and foreign markets," Asadov said.

The runway of Lachin International Airport, the foundation of which was laid in August 2021, is 3,000 meters long and 60 meters wide. The airport was built in the village of Gorchu at an altitude of 1,700 meters above sea level and is one of the highest altitude airports on mountainous terrain n the post-Soviet space. The conditions created at Lachin International Airport will allow flights to be carried out in accordance with ICAO and IATA standards, which determine the requirements for international civil air transportation.

The CAERC official noted that in recent years, the improvement of transport infrastructure, especially the development of air transportation, is one of the important directions of the national economy: "The development of air transport is aimed at increasing both passenger and cargo transportation. The work done in this area covers various directions, the basis of which is the construction and modernization of new airports, the opening of new air transportation routes, and the application of digitalization in air transportation.

"By President Ilham Aliyev's decree dated March 12, 2025, the 'State Program on Simplification of Air Transportation Formalities' was approved. This program will lead to the alignment of control and enforcement procedures in this area with international standards and recommended practices, the expansion of personnel training and international cooperation, and the improvement of the regulatory legal framework. As a result of the implementation of the State Program, air transportation processes will be simplified and the efficiency of operations will be increased, border security will be strengthened, trade and tourism will be developed, thereby contributing to economic development and employment, and the availability of quality aviation services will be ensured."

Agil Asadov emphasized that the commissioning of Lachin International Airport will further increase the capabilities of Azerbaijan and encourage the country to become a hub in air transportation: "Undoubtedly, airports will also create conditions for expanding cooperation with a number of international organizations, including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This will help to operate in accordance with international standards and increase the level of safety, as well as make significant contributions in the field of air transport in such areas as opening additional routes and expanding the geography of flights, introducing environmentally friendly technologies, increasing the potential of airports in the regions, and transforming airports into logistics centers."