President Ilham Aliyev has examined a new hangar facility of Silkway Technics under construction at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport, attended the opening of the International Logistics Center and reviewed new Airbus A340-500 passenger liners. The head of state also enquired about the progress of construction of a new passenger terminal.
The first passenger terminal for air transportation was built in Azerbaijan in 1933, while a terminal meeting international standards was built in the country on the initiative of great leader Heydar Aliyev and put into operation in 1999. Runways and taxiways were reconstructed, air traffic control systems upgraded, radio navigation and meteorological equipment updated and other measures taken at the Baku airport in a matter of a few years at the time.
President Ilham Aliyev has identified the following as one of the main priorities for the country: Azerbaijan should take a rightful place among developed countries of the world. The programs on rapid socioeconomic development being implemented under the leadership of the head of state have played an important part in the development of national aviation.
Azerbaijan's civil aviation has entered a stage of rapid development in recent years. The Nakhchivan International Airport meeting modern standards was commissioned in 2004. As part of the "State Program on the socioeconomic development of districts" for 2006-2011, airports were commissioned in Ganja, Zagatala, Lankaran and Gabala one after another. In order to raise passenger and cargo carriage to a more sophisticated level, the fleet of airplanes and helicopters has also been upgraded.
At present, the aircraft of the "Azerbaijan Airlines" Closed Joint Stock Company operate flights to over 20 cities of 13 countries. Flights to Azerbaijan are operated by 19 airlines from 33 cities of 15 countries. Having transformed into a major airline, "Azerbaijan Airlines" are considered one of the leaders in the region and the CIS for the number of new aircraft.
The commencement of the construction of a new passenger terminal at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport and the completion of the construction of a new hangar complex within this framework further enhance the strategic importance of the country's main airport.
First, President Ilham Aliyev reviewed the new hangar complex of Silkway Technics built at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport.
The President of the "Azerbaijan Airlines" CJSC, Jahangir Asgarov, informed the President of Azerbaijan that the new hangar complex, whose construction began in 2011, is well suited for aircraft maintenance. The equipment available here enables aircraft maintenance at the level of world standards. The total area of the complex is 26,000 square meters, while the area of the hangar is 16,000 square meters. The hangar, which is 160 meters wide, 23 meters high and 95 meters deep, has all necessary conditions for the simultaneous maintenance of the two largest aircraft, "Boeing-747", or eight to 10 narrow-body aircraft. The complex also has an office, a warehouse, an administrative section, technical facilities and new maintenance areas. It is possible to perform maintenance of the interior, chassis, batteries and emergency rescue equipment of aircraft.
Then the President attended the opening of the International Logistics Center built at the airport.
President Ilham Aliyev put the center into operation.
It was noted that the total area of the center is 12,800 square meters. It has two lifting conveyor belts, six automatic doors, including a conveyor door for receiving and releasing palletized loads. The International Logistics Center has a 30-ton and 14-ton scales. It is possible to store 2,200 tons or 5,800 cubic meters of palletized cargo here. The total cargo capacity of the center is 1,200 tons or 7,000 cubic meters per day, or 430,000 tons or 2.5 million cubic meters per year.
This International Logistics Center, the only one in the South Caucasus, can store and process all kinds of perishable goods that require temperatures from -18 to +20 degrees, including goods of plant and animal origin and medicines. A special information system has been put in place to register and monitor cargo. A total of 44 people will work here in every shift considering the maximum cargo turnover.
President Ilham Aliyev examined two new Airbus A340-500 passenger liners.
It was noted that the aircraft, traveling at a maximum speed of 890 kmh, can cover a distance of 15,742 km without refueling. This enables the airline to operate long-haul flights more effectively. Today, Airbus A340-500 liners are used by the most reputable airlines of the world. The 237-seat plane is fitted with all the necessary equipment to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable flight. It was noted that "Azerbaijan Airlines" will continue to modernize its fleet in the future too.
President Ilham Aliyev also toured the new passenger terminal under construction at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport.
It was noted that the total area of the new terminal is 65,000 square meters. It will have 24 elevators, 30 escalators and 37 X-ray machines. All the necessary measures will be taken to provide for the comfort of passengers and staff at the new terminal. A total of 41 check-in and 52 passport control slots will be installed. In addition, there will be a café, a restaurant and other facilities here. The purpose of the project is to further enhance the level of passenger service and cargo handling and bring flight safety into line with international standards. The passenger terminal meeting modern standards will serve 3 million passengers a year. After the commissioning of a new four-storey terminal building, which will be built in the shape of a triangle, international flights will be operated from here. Meanwhile, the existing terminal will be used for domestic flights. The new terminal will use scientific and technical innovations of the aviation industry. The terminal building will also have a telescopic gangway capable of accommodating 13 aircraft at a time.
After reviewing the work done, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev gave relevant instructions and recommendations.
