Dnata And Silk Way Group Establish Alat Airport Handling Joint Venture

Global aviation services giant dnata has officially signed a cooperation agreement with Azerbaijan's Silk Way Group to establish a joint venture responsible for ground operations at Alat International Airport. The joint venture will commence operations in tandem with the airport's opening in 2027, marking a significant strategic investment in Azerbaijan's air logistics sector by both parties.

Located within the Alat Free Economic Zone, Alat International Airport is set to become a key regional cargo hub upon completion. With a planned annual cargo handling capacity of over 500,000 tons and an expected average annual growth rate of 5% over the next decade, the airport boasts not only substantial hardware advantages but also 18 parking stands, a 4,000-meter runway, and associated taxiways, along with an independent air traffic control center to ensure operational efficiency, providing a solid foundation for efficient aviation services.

The newly established joint venture will adopt a "step-by-step expansion" service strategy, initially focusing on core businesses such as freight transportation and ground support, and gradually extending to diversified service areas including aviation catering, freight forwarding, and aircraft deicing in the future. Both parties have clearly stated that they will integrate resources to create a "one-stop aviation service platform", providing end-to-end solutions for airlines and airport customers in the Baku region.

This project will not only promote the upgrading of the aviation service industry but also create significant socio-economic value for Azerbaijan. It is estimated that after the joint venture starts operation, it will directly create over 1,000 jobs. Meanwhile, through skills training and talent cultivation programs, it will reserve professional forces for the local aviation industry and build long-term development momentum.

Steve Allen, the CEO of dnata, emphasized the strategic significance of this cooperation: "The joint venture with Silk Way Group is a crucial step for dnata to expand its global business footprint and will provide support for the rapid development of the Caucasus region. The new Baku airport will become a key node in the regional cargo network, and our investment will ensure that airlines and logistics partners receive safe, high-quality and reliable services from the first day of the airport's operation."

Zaur Akhundov, the president of Silk Road Group, added from a regional development perspective: "This joint venture agreement is not only an investment in infrastructure, but also an investment in people - creating new jobs, cultivating professional skills, and laying the foundation for sustainable development. Building a complete aviation service system at the Alyat International Airport is a strategic step for us to realize our vision of 'making Azerbaijan a leading regional hub'."

It is worth mentioning that the Alat Free Economic Zone, where the Alat International Airport is located, will form a multimodal transport advantage of "air-sea-land" after its full completion in 2027. Relying on the direct connection with the Baku International Seaport and the well-developed railway and road networks, this area will become a cross-regional transit hub, significantly enhancing Azerbaijan's transportation and distribution capabilities and further consolidating its core position in the Eurasian logistics corridor.