Flights to Nakhchivan via Armenia to relieve budget burden

Using Armenian airspace by Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) CJSC for Baku-Nakhchivan flights will increase the possibilities of using other vehicles in the Zangazur corridor at the next stage, economic expert Rashad Hasanov told Report.

"Today, discussions are underway between the two countries on different platforms. Elections are over in Armenia. Euphoria and populism faded into the background. The Armenian authorities take a constructive stance in their speeches. On the other hand, some time ago, Turkey allowed Armenia to use its airspace. All these factors indicate that there has been a positive trend. This process will deepen. In subsequent periods, diversification of regional communication capabilities is expected, in particular, the expansion of the use of other vehicles within the Zangazur corridor."

Per him, the new route in the Nakhchivan direction will save budget funds: "The demand for flights in the Nakhchivan direction is very high, sometimes there are eight flights per day. Therefore, the state budget annually allocates AZN 10 million in subsidies to finance domestic flights to Nakhchivan. Under the current conditions, flights through Armenia will save time and fuel. This moment and the transfer of AZAL under control of the Azerbaijan Investment Holding make it possible to say that the state budget burden will be relieved through organizing flights to Nakhchivan."

Hasanov believes that Armenian airspace will be mainly used during flights to Nakhchivan: "The route through Iran may remain active as an alternative. But preference will primarily be given to the new route. As the process of restoring socioeconomic communications with Armenia deepens, 90% of civilian cargo and passenger transportation by air to Nakhchivan is expected to be carried out through Armenia."