The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan has attended the inauguration of the new administrative premises of Nakhchivan International Airport.
Azerbaijan’s favourable geographical location further strengthens the role and place of our country in the global air transport system. Currently, new modern airports are being built in Azerbaijan and existing airport terminal complexes are being overhauled in line with global standards. This process is not limited to Baku alone. There are international airports already operating in the regions of Azerbaijan, too. It is good that the work to boost the material and technical base of the airports already operating on the republic’s territory and to bring the operation of airport terminals up to a modern level is being implemented consistently and systematically. The construction of the new administrative building for Nakhchivan International Airport is one such project. These measures are making an important contribution to the development of civil aviation in Azerbaijan, a country which is experiencing a period of rapid progress.
The high-level implementation of the instructions and directions of President Ilham Aliyev, who pays particular attention to the modernization of the country’s air transport, has been conducive to Azerbaijani aviation reaching a completely new stage. The creation of modern air terminals in the country’s regions, too, shows that as the republic’s economic strength grows targeted work is being carried out to successfully implement social programmes. It can be said quite confidently that the inauguration of the new administrative building of Nakhchivan International Airport will promote the development of civil aviation in our country and improve the working conditions of those who are employed in this sector.
First of all, the head of state viewed the new vehicles and various machines bought with a view to further modernizing the airport’s operations and improving its security within the framework of consistent measures taken to strengthen the transport infrastructure of Nakhchivan International Airport.
It was noted that this equipment included machinery for carrying aviation fuel, fuel-filling vehicles, busses for ferrying passengers to airplanes and also specially equipped vehicles for getting assisted-mobility passengers on and off airplanes. The new automatic gangways and conveyor belts, trailers and towing buggies, automatic lifting machinery for the cargo terminal, an engine air starter system and vehicles to de-ice aircraft and to clear the runway of snow and ice also have high technical specifications. The conditions created here, the use of state-of-the-art technological know-how mean that the passengers will enjoy exemplary services.
President Ilham Aliyev then cut the ribbon symbolizing the inauguration of the administrative building.
Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Vasif Talibov and the President of the Azerbaijan Airlines closed joint-stock company, Jahangir Asgarov, informed President Ilham Aliyev that the construction of the building, which began in March last year, was completed to the most modern standards. Every possibility for the staff to operate effectively has been created here. The new building, with 53 offices, will also house aircraft technical servicing, air traffic control, aviation metrology and other services. The building has an assembly hall, a conference hall and also a training room where airport staff can study foreign languages.
It was noted that the construction of this building is a project being carried out within the framework of the reconstruction and restoration of the currently operating air terminal. Thus, the management, which used to work in the airport building, will now be transferred to the new administrative premises. This, in turn, will make it possible to assign the ground floor and the first floor of Nakhchivan International Airport as the departure and arrival halls. It is envisaged to install lifts, escalators and other essential systems in the airport terminal building. State-of-the-art scientific and technical know-how deployed in international aviation will be incorporated here. At the next stage, passengers will board aircraft by means of telescopic gangways from the first floor which was the floor previously occupied by the management. Through this, Nakhchivan International Airport will be taking very important steps to further raise the level of passenger service and also to bring flight safety and the airport’s operations into line with world standards.
It was reported that following the reconstruction and restoration of the airport terminal building, the airport’s passenger turnover will rise to 450-500 passengers per hour. And this will further increase the strategic load on the airport of the blockaded Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.