AZAL Azerbaijan Airlines (J2, Baku) has confirmed the name of its dedicated low-cost carrier will be Buta Airways (J2, Baku).
Although a subsidiary of its parent, Buta Airways will have its own fleet of Embraer (EMB, Sao Jose dos Campos) aircraft as well as its own livery, staff, and tariff policy. Given this announcement, it is uncertain what role AZALJET (Baku), AZAL's budget brand, will play in AZAL's operations going forward.
Buta Airways is expected to launch in autumn 2017.
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AZAL Azerbaijan Airlines (J2, Baku) has firmed a Memorandum of Understanding with Boeing (BOE, Washington National), signed in July 2022, for a total of eight B787-8s.
The Azeri flag carrier initially committed to four firm and four optioned jets but has now decided to firm all eight units in one go. Five aircraft will be delivered by 2030, and the remaining three after 2030.
The aircraft will join AZAL's existing fleet of two B787-8s inducted in 2014, allowing it to consolidate its widebody fleet around the type and expand it. The ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows that the state-owned airline's widebody fleet currently also comprises two inactive A340-500s, three B767-300ERs, and one B777-200(LR).
AZAL is simultaneously renewing its narrowbody fleet to focus on the A320neo Family. It already operates three A320-200Ns, alongside three A319-100s, six A320-200s, and three B757-200s, and recently ordered another six A320-200Ns and six A321-200Ns. The airline's regional fleet comprises eight E190s.
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AZAL Azerbaijan Airlines (J2, Baku) has placed a firm order for twelve A320neo Family aircraft directly from the manufacturer. The commitment includes both A320-200Ns and A321-200Ns, albeit in an undisclosed split.
"We are pleased to continue mutually beneficial cooperation with Airbus on the modernisation programme of our fleet and intend to strengthen the bilateral partnership. The signed contract will provide our passengers with the most modern and comfortable single-aisle aircraft," First Vice-President Samir Rzayev said.
The carrier did not identify delivery dates and said the choice of engine manufacturer would be made at a later stage.
The new A320neo Family aircraft will join AZAL's existing fleet of three A320-200Ns picked up earlier this year from lessors. Two of them currently operate for the airline's low-cost division Buta Airways, while the third is in maintenance. The airline's previous-generation narrowbody fleet comprises three A319-100s and six A320-200s. AZAL's plan is to complete the rollover to A320neo Family aircraft by 2030.
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