The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and AZANS, the Air Navigation Service Provider of Azerbaijan have come together to develop and implement an Azerbaijan National Airspace Strategy (NAS). As a part of the agreement, AZANS and IATA will modernise the Air Traffic Management (ATM) network while ensuring safety, and managing costs, and reducing CO2 emissions and delays.
Both the IATA and AZANS will work in tandem with the aviation stakeholders, government and regulatory authorities, to deliver and implement the NAS.
Farhan Guliyev, Director “Azeraeronavigation” Air Traffic Department AZANS said: “Traffic in Azerbaijan airspace has grown particularly strongly. Last year we successfully exceeded pre-COVID levels. But the main challenge we face is the significant growth forecast to come. As part of the global aviation network, Azeraeronavigation is preparing to meet this demand effectively, fulfill our international requirements, and build a strong sustainable aviation industry of the future with the full involvement of stakeholders. We are pleased to have the professional support of IATA in achieving this challenging and important goal together.”
Rafael Schvartzman, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Europe said: ““Azerbaijan is a growing economy which also occupies a key geographic position. It can expect to handle increasing amounts of traffic in the coming years, and it has an important role in enhancing capacity and efficiency for transcontinental traffic. The commitment to building a National Airspace Strategy is a concrete sign of Azerbaijan fulfilling a strategic leadership role.”
Passenger demand for air transport in Azerbaijan is set to increase some 80% over the next two decades, particularly for airlines which is no longer using Russian airspace. It is high time for Azerbaijan to modernise its airspace and ATM network for smooth and efficient operations.