12:20

A presentation and handover ceremony for AZAL’s first Airbus A321neo aircraft was held at Airbus’ Finkenwerder production facility in Hamburg, Germany.

Axar.az reports, citing Tеleqraf, that the event was attended by senior executives from AZAL, Airbus, AerCap, and CFM International, as well as media representatives from various countries.

Speaking at the ceremony, Christophe Sammert, Executive Vice President of the Airbus A320 Family Programme, described the delivery of the first Airbus A321neo to AZAL as a significant milestone.

He noted that although Airbus delivers two to three aircraft every day, not every delivery is marked with a special ceremony.

“The delivery of AZAL’s first Airbus A321neo is one of our important milestones. In terms of fuel efficiency, noise reduction, environmental performance, and passenger comfort, this aircraft is considered one of the best in the industry,” Sammert said.

He added that the handover marked the culmination of months, and in some cases years, of work.

According to Sammert, Airbus will continue to provide technical support to AZAL throughout the aircraft’s operational life.

The Airbus executive also referred to the Kharıbülbül flower, one of Azerbaijan’s national symbols, saying that the values it represents—beauty, resilience, and unity—align with the company’s philosophy.

The Airbus A321neo consumes approximately 20 percent less fuel than previous-generation models thanks to its new-generation CFM LEAP engines and Sharklets technology. The aircraft can accommodate between 180 and 220 passengers and has a maximum range of more than 6,800 kilometers.

In 2023, an agreement was signed between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Airbus for the purchase of 12 new aircraft. The delivery of AZAL’s first Airbus A321neo marks an important stage in the implementation of that program.