Azerbaijan is preparing to strengthen its links with the European Union's political heart, with the national carrier set to launch direct flights between Brussels and Baku in 2027. The announcement came from Florian Sengstschmid, Chief Executive Officer of the Azerbaijan Tourism Board, during the Euronews Travel & Tourism Summit 2026.
Sengstschmid confirmed that Azerbaijan Airlines will operate four weekly services on the Brussels-Baku route starting 8 May 2027. The new connection is expected to ease travel for business and leisure passengers alike, complementing existing links from other European capitals.
The CEO highlighted how Baku has evolved over the past decade into a regional aviation hub. He noted that Heydar Aliyev International Airport holds a five-star rating in Skytrax's regional rankings, while the airline itself was named the best regional carrier in Central Asia by Skytrax this year.
Beyond the capital: Azerbaijan's hidden landscapes
While the new flights will improve access to Baku, Sengstschmid is keen to steer visitors further afield. "It's really to travel beyond Baku – to travel along the Silk Road, through the side valleys, ancient heritage villages," he said, pointing to the country's UNESCO World Heritage Sites, settlements in the Greater Caucasus, and the Khan's palace.
One lesser-known destination he singled out is Sim, a village in southern Azerbaijan. Sengstschmid described it as "a fairy-tale with moss," featuring wooden buildings, waterfalls, and rich flora and fauna. "It feels a bit like you're in the jungle, but in the middle you're basically in Azerbaijan," he said. "And this describes the diversity you can experience once you really go out of the city – dive into the country and meet the wonderful, lovely people."
Azerbaijan's varied climate zones offer travellers everything from semi-desert terrain to peaks exceeding 4,000 metres above sea level, all within a single destination. This diversity is part of the country's appeal as it seeks to attract a broader European audience.
The tourism sector already plays a significant role in Azerbaijan's economy. In 2025, tourism generated 7 billion Azerbaijani Manat (€3.5 billion), accounting for 5.4% of GDP. The country has also drawn visitors through major events such as Formula 1, Eurovision, and COP29, which was hosted in Baku.
The new Brussels route is part of a wider push to diversify Azerbaijan's economy beyond oil and gas, a strategy that has seen the government court international investors in other sectors. The country's location along the Trans-Caspian corridor also gives it strategic importance for trade and connectivity between Europe and Asia.
For European travellers, the direct flights will cut journey times and open up a destination that remains relatively unexplored. As Sengstschmid put it, the aim is to encourage visitors to "dive into the country" and experience its contrasts – from modern Baku to ancient mountain villages.
