WEEKLY NEWS


CONNECTING JORDAN AND AZERBAIJAN


AIR CARG O WEEK


04


BY Ajinkya GURAV


JORDAN and Azerbaijan are stepping up aviation cooperation, a development with growing significance for Caucasus–Levant


the air corridor.


cargo sector Senior


officials


from Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) and a high-level Jordanian delegation met in Baku to discuss traffic rights, operational coordination, and the broader civil aviation framework, signaling a strategic shift that may reshape passenger and cargo flows. While framed around civil aviation and tourism,


the talks carry important freight implications. Both nations occupy strategic geographies linking Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Eastern Mediterranean. Improved air connectivity could open opportunities for high-value cargo, multimodal


trade corridors, and more resilient regional supply chains.


A modest but promising trade corridor Bilateral trade between Jordan and Azerbaijan is modest, averaging US$25–30 million annually from 2021 to 2024. Yet the traded goods— pharmaceuticals, processed


foods,


fertilizers, and


medical cosmetics supplies, from Jordan;


petrochemicals, plastics, carpets, and packaged foods from Azerbaijan—align well with air-freight


ACW 05 JANUARY 2026


modalities, where value density and shelf life are key. Current annual air cargo movements are under


in the


2,500 tonnes, but both sides see potential in pharmaceuticals, perishables, e-commerce, and industrial components. Jordan’s pharmaceutical exports exceed US$1.5 billion annually, relying heavily on time-sensitive air transport. Azerbaijan is scaling exports of food products and electronics as


it develops logistics infrastructure and


participates in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.


Aviation alignment within a broader logistics strategy Discussions Rzayev


between and Jordanian expanding flight AZAL frequencies, President officials


High-value cargo opportunities The air cargo potential lies more in value than volume. Jordan’s pharmaceuticals require GDP- compliant


handling focused


Samir on


improving traffic


rights, and strengthening regulatory cooperation. Rzayev described the talks as part of “a shared vision for developing civil aviation as a driver of trade, logistics, and regional integration.” Jordan emphasised that enhanced connectivity support


could economic ecosystems: diversification Baku Heydar and


strengthen supply chains linking the Levant and the Caucasus. Both nations are upgrading logistics


Aliyev


International Airport now handles over 300,000 tonnes annually and plays a key role in the Middle Corridor connecting China, Central Asia, Turkey,


and including reliable fruits,


faster links to the Caucasus and Central Asia could strengthen competitiveness. Azerbaijan’s agri-exports,


and processed foods, vegetables, increasingly depend on


temperature-controlled logistics, benefiting from direct or more frequent connections. e-commerce is


growing rapidly—Jordan at


14–17 percent annually, Azerbaijan nearly 20 percent—creating rising demand for small-parcel capacity, standardised customs procedures, and API-driven coordination.


Regulatory alignment A major outcome of the Baku discussions is a


commitment including: www.aircargoweek.com to regulatory harmonisation,


and Europe. Jordan’s Queen Alia International Airport


has


screening zones


for e-commerce expanded systems, and


cold-chain dedicated


pharmaceuticals, parcels.


Together,


perishables, the


capacity, handling and


airports


provide a strong foundation for point-to-point belly freight, scheduled freighters, and integrated multimodal services.


• Cooperation on aviation safety and security • Easing traffic-rights restrictions • Exploration of fifth-freedom cargo rights • Streamlined cargo-handling procedures • Enhanced customs and digital data exchange


Jordan’s Azerbaijan’s digital-clearance documentation reforms single-window customs enable more reliable multimodal flows. scheduling;


An incremental but meaningful step The


dialogue does and not guarantee supply-chain scheduled inconsistencies, and system


position both countries to reduce dwell times, minimise


and


immediate


new services or cargo surges, but it signals a strategic intent to leverage aviation for economic diversification


efficiency.


Expanded traffic rights, coordinated infrastructure use,


and seasonal or uplift


strengthen their position within the Middle East– Caucasus–Central Asia air-freight network. For now, industry stakeholders are watching trial


for and regulatory


freighters, expanded announcements.


belly capacity, Both


Jordan


and Azerbaijan recognise the value of cargo connectivity, and the latest dialogue marks a cautious but meaningful step toward unlocking that potential.


could


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14