Azerbaijan, Baku, 12 February / Trend corr U. Ismayilova / This year the Azerbaijani National Air Company AZAL will complete the reconstruction of Lankaran Airport costing $51.1mln and Zagatala Airport - $27.5mln, the AZAL First Deputy Director General Sabir Ilyasov said on 12 February.
After reconstruction is completed, AZAL will launch flights from Baku to these two destinations. Flights to Zagatala Airport are expected to begin in May-June and to Lankaran Airport in September-October.
Lankaran airport is located in the south and Zagatala Airport in the north-west region of Azerbaijan.
Flights will be implemented by aircraft made by the French company ATR. At present, Azerbaijan uses two ATR aircraft and will receive four more by August, Ilyasov said.
The airports are being reconstructed through the public budget and with AZAL's funds (purchase and setting up of new equipment). This year the public budge allotted $17.8mln for reconstruction of Lankaran Airport and $10.4mln for reconstruction of Zagatala Airport.
In the future Lankaran Airport will be able to launch international flights.
AZAL ordered two ATR - 42-500S and four ATR - 72-500S aircrafts. The total sum of the contract makes up some $97.2mln. They will be small aircraft accommodating 50-70 passengers.
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