Baku, Azerbaijan, May 31
By Azad Hasanli - Trend:
The funds borrowed by Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC (AZAL) under the state guarantee exceed 650 million manats, said Azerbaijani Finance Minister Samir Sharifov.
Sharifov made the statement at the plenary session of the Azerbaijani parliament May 31, while responding to some MPs' statements on the need to upgrade AZAL's fleet.
"These funds are intended for the purchase of new aircraft," Sharifov said.
"The Azerbaijani government pays special attention to the support for AZAL," he said. "AZAL constantly gets assistance from the government in various forms."
"The assistance is rendered in various forms, for example, in the form of fuel sale on concessional terms, lending under the state guarantee, writing-off of AZAL's debts in different years, and so on," the minister added.
At present, AZAL's fleet consists of Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Boeing 757-200, Boeing 767-300, Airbus 319, Airbus A320, Airbus A340-500, Embraer ERJ 170-100LR and Embraer ERJ 190-100. The oldest aircraft in the fleet is Boeing 757-200, which made its first flight in 1982, while the newest aircraft - Boeing 787 Dreamliner (2011).
Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) is the biggest Azerbaijani airline and national flag carrier. Headquartered in Baku, it is a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
AZAL operates passenger flights to countries of Europe, the CIS, Middle East and Asia.