Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has signed an agreement with lessor AerCap to acquire six brand new Airbus A320neo family aircraft, including the carrier’s first ever A321neos.
Azerbaijan Airlines and the world’s largest aviation leasing company confirmed on October 2, 2024, that under the agreement the national flag carrier would receive three Airbus A320neos and three A321neos.
The new aircraft are expected to begin arriving with Azerbaijan Airlines in spring 2026 and continue until the end of that year.
“The signing of these six leases significantly expands our fleet replacement, in particular with the popular A321neo. These aircraft are intended to meet the evolving needs of our passengers, providing them with maximum comfort and convenience, while also contributing to the expansion of our airline’s route network. We aim to create better travel opportunities and meet customer expectations by opening new destinations and improving service quality,” said Samir Rzayev, AZAL President.
Rzayev added: “In addition, the document signed with a major company like AerCap further demonstrates AZAL’s strong credibility in the international aviation market.”
Azerbaijan Airlines noted that the A321neos will operate on routes to Turkey, the Middle East, and India, while the A320neos will primarily operate on European and Asian routes.
“AerCap is delighted to welcome AZAL as a new customer and support them with their ongoing fleet and network expansion,” said Peter Anderson, the Chief Commercial Officer of AerCap. “The A320neo and A321neo are among the most desirable and in-demand aircraft in the world and will not only enable AZAL to serve more customers across more destinations but will also support their commitment to modernizing their fleet with the most technologically advanced fuel-efficient aircraft on the market.”
In April 2023, Azerbaijan Airlines placed an order with Airbus for 12 A320neo family aircraft, including both A320neo and A321neo variants, with delivery expected to begin in 2028.
Azerbaijan Airlines also has an order in place with Boeing for eight 787-8 Dreamliners which are schedule to be delivered from 2026.