Silk Way Group And Dnata Have Joined Forces To Build A New Aviation Service Hub in Azerbaijan.

Silk Way Group and dnata have established a joint venture to jointly build a new hub for aviation services in Azerbaijan.

The Silk Way Group of Azerbaijan and the international air service provider dnata of the United Arab Emirates recently jointly announced that they have officially signed a joint venture agreement. They will establish comprehensive ground handling and cargo services at the new Alat International Airport in the Alat Free Economic Zone of Baku, working together to build a regional aviation service center.

This joint venture is the core part of the development of Alat Airport. It is planned to be put into operation simultaneously with the new passenger terminal in April 2027. It will deeply integrate the local advantages of Silk Way Group with the global network and professional experience of dnata, providing end-to-end one-stop services for airline customers.

Building the Future Hub: Capabilities and Vision

Alate International Airport boasts advanced logistics facilities, with an annual cargo handling capacity exceeding 400,000 tons. It is expected to achieve an average annual growth of 5% in cargo volume over the next decade. The joint venture's business will initially start with cargo and ground support services, and subsequently expand to a range of value-added services such as catering, freight forwarding, and de-icing, aiming to establish world-class efficiency and service standards.

Create thousands of jobs, invest in the future

This project is expected to create over 1,000 job opportunities in the local area and, through continuous investment in skills development and training, will cultivate long-term talents for the Azerbaijani aviation industry, laying a foundation for sustainable development.

Leadership Perspective

Steve Allen, the CEO of dnata, said: "This collaboration is a crucial step for dnata to expand its global network and support its strategy for high-growth markets. Alate Airport will become a key hub for regional freight flows. Our investment will ensure that the aviation and logistics partners can enjoy safe, high-quality and reliable services from the very first day of operation."

Zaur Akhundov, the president of Silk Way Group, emphasized: "Our partnership with dnata marks a new milestone in the development of the Azerbaijani aviation industry. This is not only an investment in infrastructure, but also an investment in 'people' - we are jointly building a modern ecosystem that connects the Alat Free Economic Zone with the global network, helping Azerbaijan transform into a leading regional hub."