Ahmedabad, May 28, 2025 — The newly announced direct flight from Ahmedabad to Baku by Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), scheduled to begin on July 4, 2025, is off to a rough start. With No Bookings for Ahmedabad on this route so far, local tour operators express concern over the lack of interest from travelers. The situation has raised doubts about the commercial viability of the service before its official launch.
Political Climate Dampens Travel Interest
The flight service was expected to promote tourism and strengthen business ties between Gujarat and Azerbaijan, with four weekly flights using Airbus A320 aircraft. However, current geopolitical issues have significantly reduced traveler interest.
India’s Operation Sindoor, carried out on April 22, 2025, in response to rising border tensions, led to diplomatic fallout. Azerbaijan’s open support for Pakistan triggered a wave of criticism and concern among Indian travelers.
- In reaction, several major Indian travel platforms, including EaseMyTrip, suspended all flight and hotel bookings to Azerbaijan.
- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also issued an advisory urging Indian citizens to avoid non-essential travel to countries showing hostile diplomatic behavior toward India.
- Tour operators have reported a drop of over 70% in queries related to travel to Azerbaijan since late April.
Additionally, with alternative destinations like Dubai, Singapore, and Thailand offering better connectivity, relaxed visa norms, and political stability, Indian travelers are increasingly opting for safer and more convenient options.
As a result, the excitement around the Ahmedabad-Baku route has been short-lived, and the “No Bookings for Ahmedabad” scenario reflects the current sentiment in the market..
Rerouted Flights and High Costs
Further impacting the route’s appeal is the ongoing closure of Pakistan’s airspace, forcing airlines to reroute flights:
- Travel time has increased
- Ticket prices have gone up
- Tour operators report a lack of interest due to these added burdens
Despite these setbacks, Azerbaijan Airlines has not announced any delays or cancellations. The flight schedule remains as follows:
- Baku to Ahmedabad: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday
- Ahmedabad to Baku: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
More information is available on the official AZAL website
Summary:
The direct Ahmedabad-Baku flight, set to launch in July, is facing zero bookings. Tour operators cite geopolitical tensions, rerouted flights, and rising costs as key reasons for the decline. Azerbaijan Airlines continues with its schedule, but the route’s future success remains uncertain.
