# Kars Airport expands with Baku link

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/kars-airport-expansion-and-new-link
> Updated: 2026-07-29T18:08:37.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 3.

In the first five months of 2026 Kars Harakani Airport recorded more than 257,000 passengers and over 2,200 tonnes of cargo, a rise the State Airports Authority linked to the approaching tourism season and improved connections with Istanbul and Ankara.

Building on that momentum, the Kars Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed a protocol with Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) to launch regular scheduled flights between Kars and Baku. The chamber agreed to cover the financial risk for any unsold seats, allowing the service to start sustainably.

The inaugural Baku‑Kars flight took off on 30 July 2026, operating twice weekly (Thursdays and Sundays) from Baku Haydar Aliyev International Airport to Kars Harakani Airport. Local officials, including Kars Mayor Ötüken Sergen and chamber president Kadir Bozan, highlighted the route’s potential to boost tourism to the Ani ruins, Sarıkamış ski resort and Çıldır Lake, as well as to facilitate trade, investment and educational exchanges. The flights also serve neighbouring provinces such as Ardahan, Iğdır, Ağrı and Erzurum, complementing the Baku‑Tbilisi‑Kars railway and reinforcing Kars’ ambition to become a regional logistics and tourism hub. Future plans may see the frequency increased beyond the initial twice‑weekly schedule.

## Timeline

### 2026-07-29: Turkey‑Azerbaijan launches direct Baku‑Kars air service

On 30 July 2026, the inaugural Baku‑Kars flight began, linking Azerbaijan and Turkey and aiming to enhance trade, tourism and regional connectivity.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkeyazerbaijan-launches-direct-bakukars-air-service

### 2026-07-08: Kars launches scheduled Baku flights, opening new international air link

Scheduled AZAL flights between Baku and Kars start on 30 July, offering twice‑weekly service and aiming to boost tourism, trade and regional connectivity for eastern Turkey.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kars-launches-scheduled-baku-flights-opening-new-international-air-link

### 2026-06-25: Kars Harakani Airport records 257,000 passengers in first five months of 2026

Kars Harakani Airport logged 257,160 passengers and 1,612 flights from Jan‑May 2026, with May alone seeing 50,742 travelers, 312 flights and 426 t of cargo, boosting regional tourism and trade.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkeys-kars-airport-and-istanbul-metro-see-record-passenger-volumes

---
Cite as: Kars Airport expands with Baku link. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/kars-airport-expansion-and-new-link