Azerbaijan Airlines adds a further eight Boeing 787 Dreamliners to its fleet

Azerbaijan Airlines has been busy with its ordering, with them finalising an order for long-haul aircraft from Boeing. 

Azerbaijan Airlines Boeing 787-8, Image – The Boeing Company

The airline has ordered eight 787-8 Dreamliners to support the growth of its long-haul fleet. The new aircraft will enable the Central Asian carrier to profitably open up new routes from Azerbaijan and boost capacity for inbound tourism.

Leaders from both companies, including Jahangir Asgarov, president of Azerbaijan Airlines, and Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, celebrated the order at a signing ceremony at the airline’s hub in Baku.

In July 2022, Boeing and the carrier announced a commitment to purchase four 787s; since then, the order was finalized for eight aeroplanes and unidentified on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries website.

In Quotes

President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev said:

“The successful development of the country’s civil aviation has become possible thanks to the continuous support and attention of the.

The signing of a contract with Boeing for the purchase of modern wide-body Boeing 787 Dreamliners is an important step in modernizing the fleet and increasing the level of AZAL air transportation”.

Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes said:

“The 787 has helped position Azerbaijan Airlines as the leading carrier across Central Asia, with the airplane’s flexibility and capability opening Azerbaijan up to increased tourism and economic growth,” 

“For more than 20 years we have enjoyed a tremendous partnership with Azerbaijan Airlines and this order for Dreamliners is a testament to the strength of our product family and the relationship between our companies.”

Modernising the fleet

Azerbaijan Airlines serves over 40 destinations across 25 countries, with the airline using one Boeing 757, two Boeing 767-300ER, and two 787 jets in its long-haul fleet. The airline is also an operator of Airbus A319, Airbus A320,  Airbus A320neo, and Airbus A340-500 (the last operator of the type in the world).

With eight new aircraft coming in, expect some of the older long-haul aircraft (757, 767, and A340) to be replaced as a logical move, with room to expand.

It will be interesting to see what the airline plans next – considering the 787 has enabled the airline to launch new routes – such as Baku and New Delhi.