Kars launches scheduled Baku flights, opening new international air link

From 30 July, Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) will operate scheduled flights between Baku and Kars, Turkey, marking the first regular international air service for the eastern Anatolian city. The initial timetable provides two weekly flights on Thursdays and Sundays, with the possibility of adding more frequencies if passenger demand grows.

The service was made possible through a protocol signed by the Kars Chamber of Commerce and Industry and AZAL. The chamber will cover the financial risk for any unsold seats, ensuring the flights can start sustainably. Kars Chamber President Kadir Bozan described the link as a strategic investment for the city’s future.

Authorities expect the new connection to stimulate tourism, making sites such as the Ani ruins, Sarıkamış ski resort and Çıldır Lake more accessible to Azerbaijani visitors. It is also projected to foster trade and investment by easing travel for businesspeople and complementing the Baku‑Tbilisi‑Kars railway, enhancing the region’s logistics profile. The flights will serve not only Kars but also nearby provinces including Ardahan, Iğdır, Ağrı and Erzurum, shortening travel times to Azerbaijan for residents of eastern Turkey.