Azerbaijan Airlines increases transit passenger traffic by 39%

Photo: Azerbaijan Airlines

In the first half of 2026, Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) carried 536,826 transit passengers, an increase of 39% compared to the previous year, company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jamil Manizade reported.

Earlier, the airline reported that in January–June it carried 1.9 million passengers, including 276,000 transit travelers.

According to Manizade, the share of transit passengers on domestic routes grew to 28%, compared to 21% in 2025. On international routes, it increased from 26% to 35%.

“Transfer traffic is becoming an increasingly important part of our network, reinforcing Baku’s role as a strategic transit hub connecting Europe, Asia and other key global regions,” noted the CEO of Azerbaijan Airlines.

Image: Azerbaijan Airlines

The largest growth in transit passengers was recorded on flights from the Indian Subcontinent to Russia—up 8.7 times (50,000 passengers)—and to Europe—up 5.4 times (46,700 passengers). The number of passengers using Baku for connections en route to Europe from Central Asia grew by 129% to 59,200 people.

Currently, Azerbaijan Airlines operates flights to the Indian Subcontinent from Baku across four destinations. The carrier operates four weekly flights to Islamabad and Lahore in Pakistan. To India, daily flights are operated both to Delhi and Mumbai.

Following the tragic accident involving the airline’s Embraer 190 aircraft that was shot at in Russian airspace and then crashed near Aktau in Kazakhstan in December 2025, the Azerbaijani carrier sharply reduced its route network in Russia. Currently, it operates flights to only three Russian cities: Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg.

Azerbaijan Airlines’ European route network includes Barcelona (Spain), Berlin and Frankfurt am Main (both Germany), Vienna (Austria), Chisinau (Moldova), London (United Kingdom), Milan (Italy), Paris (France), Prague (Czech Republic), and Riga (Latvia). Additionally, seasonal flights are currently operated to Heraklion in Greece and Tivat in Montenegro.

As CentralAsia+Aero previously reported, Azerbaijan Airlines carried 4.16 million passengers in 2025.