In a significant shift, some of Azerbaijan’s domestic flights between Baku and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic are now operating on a shorter and more efficient route—one that passes through a narrower corridor of Armenian airspace, cutting flight time and distance.
Previously, AZAL aircraft took a longer detour, entering Armenian skies near the Gegharkunik Province and flying approximately 130 kilometers over Armenia—an air route dating back to the Karabakh war years when neighboring Azerbaijani districts were under Armenian occupation. The updated trajectory crosses the Syunik region through its narrowest stretch, where the distance between Azerbaijani mainland and Nakhchivan shrinks to roughly 20 kilometers.
Armenian aviation authorities have confirmed the shift, noting that AZAL flights are fully authorized to use the new corridor and that the safety of all Azerbaijani civil aircraft is guaranteed.
“Route adjustments are standard practice in civil aviation,” Armenia’s Civil Aviation Committee told Sputnik Armenia, “often based on weather conditions, aircraft crew requests, and minimum separation requirements for air safety. Azerbaijani flights are no exception.”
The change has drawn attention in Armenian media, where analysts described it as a more logical and time-saving solution. Although many flights have already transitioned to the new route, some aircraft still use the traditional Gegharkunik path depending on operational conditions.
The rerouting marks another step in easing logistical challenges in Azerbaijan’s connectivity with Nakhchivan, and reflects growing coordination in regional airspace management—despite broader geopolitical tensions.
