Baku: Air navigation services in Azerbaijan have experienced a significant increase, surpassing 10% growth in 2025.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Azerbaijan's aviation sector has demonstrated sustainable development, with Heydar Aliyev International Airport highlighting the growing transit potential and international confidence.
The country's airspace managed over 342,000 flights, marking a 10.5% rise compared to 2024. This increase underscores the reliability of Azerbaijan's aviation infrastructure and its strengthening position as a regional transportation hub. The busiest period was during the summer, with a record 1,101 flights on 9 August 2025. Transit flights constituted 76% of total operations, with over 261,000 flights and a 14% increase from the previous year. Prominent global airlines such as Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Thai Airways, and Lufthansa were notable users of Azerbaijan's airspace.
Heydar Aliyev International Airport served over 7.640 million passengers in 2025, with international routes accounting for 6.895 million passengers. Foreign airlines carried 51.2% of these passengers, while the national carrier transported 3.362 million. The airport operated flights to 75 international destinations via 40 foreign airlines, with Istanbul, Tbilisi, Dubai, Ankara, and Moscow being popular. Transit passenger numbers rose by approximately 30% to about 974,000 compared to 2024.
Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) transported 4.16 million passengers in 2025, with 735,000 on the Baku-Nakhchivan route. Passenger traffic increased by 2%, and flights on this route grew by 6% to 7,261.
The commissioning of Lachin International Airport in the liberated territories marked a significant milestone, contributing to regional socio-economic development and reinforcing Karabakh's aviation position. Heydar Aliyev International Airport retained the title of 'Best Airport in Central Asia and the CIS' at the Skytrax World Airport Awards and achieved Level 3 accreditation under the Airport Carbon Accreditation program.
Azeraeronavigation Air Traffic Control (AZANS) bolstered its international role, participating in global summits and establishing strategic cooperation with the UK's NATS, ICAO, and other leading ANSPs. AZANS won the 'Collaboration and Community' category at the ATM Awards 2024.
The accomplishments of 2025 affirm the systematic development of Azerbaijan's aviation sector, enhancing international integration, safety standards, and its strategic leadership position in the region.