Baku, April 8 (AZERTAC). The 19th Regional Aviation Security Conference of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has kicked off in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku.

The three-day meeting brings together delegates from a number of countries, including Azerbaijan, Germany, Spain, Turkey, Russia, Lithuania, Estonia, Belarus, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Georgia, and Kyrgyzstan, as well as representatives of aviation security organizations.

Speaking to the event, Vice President of Azerbaijan Airlines Arif Mammadov said the international aviation network paved the way for the improvement of economic potential and development of tourism industry both in Azerbaijan and the entire region. “Since ancient times Azerbaijan has been a crucial part of the Great Silk Road connecting the East with the West.” Mr. Mammadov noted the importance of strengthening international aviation security.

Other speakers stressed the significance of the Baku meeting in terms of increasing attention to global aviation security principles.

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President of Azerbaijan Airlines Jahangir Asgarov met participants of the 19th ICAO Regional Aviation Security Conference.

Mr. Asgarov highlighted the development of civil aviation in Azerbaijan, particularly the work to ensure aviation security.

He said the organization of such a high-profile conference in Baku was a signal of confidence put in Azerbaijan. Mr. Asgarov said Azerbaijan Airlines successfully completed an IATA operational safety audit in 2008. “Having completed the audit, Azerbaijan Airlines was included on the register of IOSA Operators and became a full member of the community of the world’s safest airlines.”

“Azerbaijan Airlines managers and personnel work hard on a daily basis to further improve the airline’s safety performance, flight frequency, culture and quality of passenger services and the overall image of the airline in the eyes of the world and the aviation community.”

He said the US Federal Aviation Administration had recently conferred Azerbaijan with a Category 1 safety and security rating, adding this allows Azerbaijan Airlines carry out direct flights to the United States.

Mr. Asgarov said Azerbaijan`s aviation had entered a new era of rapid development. “In 2004 we opened state-of-the-art Nakhchivan International Airport. Between 2006 and 2008, we inaugurated airports in Ganja, Zagatala and Lankaran. Then a new airport was built in Gabala, and we also reconstructed the old one in Yevlakh. In addition, we improved our plane and helicopter park with the aim of bringing passenger and cargo transportation services to international standards.”

He also highlighted a project to build a new air terminal complex at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku. “The project is aimed at improving passenger and cargo transportation services, and bringing aviation security to international standards. Once inaugurated, the new air terminal will allow the airport serve six million people per year.”

Mr. Asgarov praised President Ilham Aliyev`s attention to improving air traffic system. “A new building of the Air Traffic Control Center of Azeraeronavigation Air Traffic Department of Azerbaijan Airlines was inaugurated last year.” “Azeraeronavigation Air Traffic Department is operationally responsible for the provision of air traffic services in the airspace of the Republic of Azerbaijan and in all airports across the country. The Department was set up in 1996 in compliance with requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). It received an ISO certificate from DQS, German Registrar for Management Systems. In 2012, Azeraeronavigation Air Traffic Department served 130,000 aircrafts, with 80,000 of them having used Azerbaijan`s airspace as a transit route.”

“The number of airlines operating flights from the Heydar Aliyev International Airport is growing. The new building of Air Traffic Control Center will strengthen the country`s capabilities to tackle the growing number of flights,” Mr. Asgarov added.

Sven Halle, ICAO European and North Atlantic Office, praised the organization of the Baku Regional Aviation Security Conference. He lauded what the Azerbaijani government had done to improve civil aviation in the country, particularly to better aviation security.