Baku: The number of flights operated by Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has increased significantly in recent years, APA-Economics reports. Mahammad Aliyev, Business Partner for ESG Data Management at Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC, shared this development during a panel discussion titled 'Scaling Climate Finance through Carbon Markets' as part of Baku Climate Week.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, while AZAL operated approximately 18,000 flights during 2022, this figure exceeded 35,000 in 2025. Aliyev noted that alongside the increase in the number of passengers, new routes and flights in the aviation sector, climate and emissions requirements are also expanding.
Aliyev explained that carbon is evolving from being merely an environmental concern to a factor influencing business and financial decisions. The carbon market impacts procurement, fuel strategy, fuel planning, and long-term investment decisions. Although carbon pricing is expanding, a unified global system has yet to be established, with varying methodologies applied across different countries and regions.
He highlighted the growing role of international cooperation under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which facilitates the international use of emission reduction outcomes generated in one country. The approach to using carbon credits has also shifted, with the focus now on the type, methodology, verification requirements, and purposes for which these credits can be used. Not all types of carbon credits are applicable in aviation, and ICAO has set eligibility criteria.
Aliyev also discussed AZAL's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Key areas targeted for emission reduction include acquiring more efficient aircraft, using sustainable aviation fuel, and optimizing flight operations. The introduction of new aircraft contributes to a 15-20% reduction in emissions. Since last year, AZAL has been applying 2% sustainable aviation fuel on flights to European destinations, with plans to increase this to approximately 30% by 2050. Aliyev emphasized that the carbon market is not a substitute for the overall decarbonization strategy, but rather a component of it.