AZE.US
Airfares from Baku to Tbilisi have risen sharply for nearby travel dates, with some tickets now reaching 246 manats (about $145).
Prices on the route previously ranged mostly between 90 and 150 manats (about $53-$88), but demand during the summer travel season has pushed fares higher.
Tourism expert Rahman Guliyev said the increase is mainly linked to seasonal demand.
“This price rise is connected to strong demand during the summer holiday period,” Guliyev said. “Flights from Baku to Tbilisi operate three to four times a day, and high demand during the season naturally affects prices.”
According to the expert, the overall increase in airfares can be estimated at around 15-18%. But for flights on nearby dates, as well as during holiday and vacation periods, the rise can be much steeper.
Guliyev said not all destinations are seeing the same increase. Some routes remain stable, while high-demand routes, including Baku-Tbilisi, can see fares climb by as much as 50%, depending on the departure date and passenger demand.
Azerbaijan Airlines told Xəzər Xəbər that AZAL operates as a full-service airline and forms its pricing policy in line with international aviation standards and the practices used by leading global carriers.
The company said airfare prices depend on several factors, including the number of passengers on a flight, the time left before departure, market demand and supply, and operating costs.
AZAL said all these factors are analyzed in line with international aviation practice, and ticket prices are set based on those parameters.
The current rise in Baku-Tbilisi airfares is therefore linked mainly to the summer season, higher demand for nearby travel dates and dynamic pricing. Under that system, the closer the departure date and the fuller the flight, the more expensive a ticket can become.
AZE.US