Azertag, 23 March 2005

Opening of the Baku freight terminal has taken place in the Heydar Aliyev International Airport, March 23.

At the ceremony, also was attending President of the Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev.

The Head of the Azerbaijan State has cut the red ribbon symbolizing opening of the terminal, has examined the modern equipment established here and technical equipment of the Great Britain, USA and Canada, has in details familiarized with systems of unloading and reception, quality of service, processing and storage of all kinds of cargoes, and also cargo motor vehicles, planes and recently got helicopters.

The general director of the "Azerbaijan Hava Yollari" State Concern Jahangir Askerov made opening remarks. He said: "The terminal with 12 thousand square meters of area, will allow Azerbaijan to play the role of intermediate point in transportation of cargoes to Europe, America, the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States and Eastern countries. The Baku freight terminal, which becomes the largest in region and one of the largest on the CIS space, will enter in ten of the best European terminals meeting the high international standards. Construction works were done by Azerbaijan Company "Khazar", that involved 450 people. The terminal will employ 250 people a day. On new platform with total area of 163 thousand square meters, can be 9 planes such as "Boeing -747" and "AN-124-Ruslan" or 15 planes such as "IL- 76".

Design cost of the terminal makes 19 million US dollars. The Company "International Handling Company", which since 1999 up to present has invested in the civil aviation of Azerbaijan 40 million US dollars, financed the construction. The Company will continue investing in construction of hotel at the airport.

At the ceremony, also was speaking Director General of the Luxembourg Civil Aviation Henry Klainan, President and Executive Director of the Cargolux Airlines Mr. Ulrich Ogiermann.

Then, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made speech.