Azerbaijani private aviation and logistics enterprise Silk Way Group has signed a joint venture (JV) with global air and travel services provider dnata to establish ground handling and cargo operations at the new Alat International Airport.
The new airport is located within the Alat Free Economic Zone (AFEZ) in Baku. The joint venture is set to launch its operations with the opening of the new terminal in April 2027.
According to the press release, the partnership will leverage dnata’s global expertise in air services and Silk Way Group’s local market leadership. The advanced logistics facilities at Alat International Airport are designed to handle over 400,000 tonnes of cargo per year, with an expected annual volume growth of 5% over the next decade.
Initially, the venture will focus on cargo and ground handling. It plans to later expand its offerings to include catering, freight forwarding, deicing, and a range of additional services, aiming to create an integrated one-stop shop for airlines and airport customers in Baku.
Steve Allen, CEO of dnata said, “Baku’s new airport will be a critical hub for cargo flows in the region, and our investment ensures that airlines and logistics partners have access to safe, quality, and reliable services from day one.”
The project is also expected to create over 1,000 local jobs and includes investment in skills development and training for Azerbaijan’s aviation sector.
Silk Way Group and dnata are long-standing partners. dnata currently provides a range of air services to Silk Way West Airlines across five countries, handling 1,150 flights and 85,000 tonnes of cargo for the airline annually.
