BAKU, Azerbaijan - The number of Azerbaijani citizens traveling abroad declined in the first nine months of 2026 as tourism experts pointed to higher airfares and reduced flight availability as factors weighing on demand.
A total of 1.5753 million Azerbaijani citizens traveled abroad from January through September, down 1.8% from the same period a year earlier, according to Azerbaijan’s State Statistical Committee.
During the same period, Azerbaijan received 1.8318 million foreign and stateless visitors, a 6% year-over-year decrease. Air travel remained the leading form of transportation in both directions: 70.4% of Azerbaijani outbound travelers and 73.5% of foreign arrivals used air transport.
Why Tickets Have Become More Expensive
Tourism expert Jafar Garayev said several factors have contributed to rising airfares. Regional military conflicts have increased aviation fuel costs, while some flights have been canceled and service on certain routes has been reduced.
That has left available supply unable to meet demand in some cases, putting additional pressure on prices, Garayev said.
The increase has been especially difficult for families traveling with children. Buying tickets for three or four people can account for a significant share of a family’s vacation budget, leading some households to postpone foreign travel or choose less expensive destinations.
Available Routes
Garayev said that, at the time of his comments, Azerbaijan Airlines flights on several Middle Eastern routes had been suspended, although travelers could still reach those countries on other carriers.
Direct flights to Turkey, East Asian destinations and several European countries continued to operate.
Travelers were advised to plan ahead and buy tickets several months before departure to improve their chances of finding lower fares, though early booking does not guarantee the lowest price.
What Comes Next
Future ticket prices will depend on fuel costs, aviation security conditions, the number of available flights and competition among carriers.
Airfares are not the only factor affecting tourism. Accommodation, food and overall household budgets also influence travel decisions. But for Azerbaijan, where air links play a central role in international travel, flight costs remain a major factor in the affordability of trips abroad.
Garayev discussed the issue in an İqtisadi Zona video program.
Source: Vesti Baku