AZAL passenger traffic rises 5% in first half

Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) carried 1.9 million passengers in January-June 2026, up 5% from the same period a year earlier, the airline said. 

The carrier operated 8,462 flights during the reporting period, including 6,566 international services. The average load factor reached 79%, while the on-time performance rate stood at 81%. 

During the first half, AZAL launched direct flights to Shymkent and opened ticket sales for services to Aktobe, Atyrau and Brussels. By the end of the period, its scheduled network comprised 52 destinations. The most popular routes were Moscow, Istanbul, Tbilisi, Tel Aviv and Ankara. 

The airline also expanded its fleet with three new-generation Airbus aircraft—two A320neo jets and its first A321neo—bringing the total number of aircraft in operation to 29. 

N.Tebrizli