“Even in the presence of minimal risk, a delay or cancellation of a flight is inevitable, as the flight can only proceed once all safety requirements are fully met,” said Elmir Guluzadeh, Deputy Director of Flight Safety at Heydar Aliyev International Airport.
According to him, while flight delays cause inconvenience for passengers, they are often necessary to ensure safety. The primary causes of delays include technical malfunctions, ground service delays, connecting flight delays, and, in some cases, passenger behavior.
According to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), around 45% of flight delays are related to ground services, maintenance, and crew operations. “Before each flight, aircraft undergo thorough technical checks of engines, navigation systems, and other critical components. A flight is not permitted until the aircraft’s technical readiness is fully ensured,” added Elmir Guluzadeh.
At Baku Airport, these technical checks are conducted in full compliance with international standards, with safety remaining a top priority. Delays caused by technical malfunctions at Heydar Aliyev International Airport account for only 1.25%.
Weather conditions are also a significant factor directly affecting flight safety. Strong winds, fog, and rain can complicate the takeoff and landing process. Baku Airport is equipped with advanced navigation and meteorological systems, including ILS (Instrument Landing System) technology and GRF (Global Reporting Format) methodology, which monitor runways in real-time, ensuring flight safety.