GYD - Baku Heydar Aliyev 🇦🇿

Dreamliner · May 20, 2025, 4:14pm

Airport Name and ICAO/IATA Code

Heydar Aliyev International Airport (ICAO: UBBB / IATA: GYD)

Location (City, Country)

Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan

Airport Type & Size

Runways

2 runways - separate on both sides of the airport

16/34: 4,000m
17/35: 3,200m

Terminals

Terminal 1: The new terminal designed by Arup and opened in 2014. Used mostly by international flights. This terminal has 11 jetbridges with 1 supporting A388 (can be split into 2 C gates).

Terminal 2: The old terminal with rationalism architecture in Soviet era and then renovated with local elements on the facade, completed in 1999. Used by domestic flights and low cost carriers. There are only 4 jetbridges but 6 additional stands adjacent to the terminal.

Note: The Terminal 2 is the old terminal and Terminal 1 is the new terminal. Very different from many places in the world.

Remote Stands: Several remote stands, including newly constructed ones at the west of the airport terminals. With many C stands, and few D/E stands. Others are at the east of the new terminal, which can be shared with cargo operation, mostly in cat D.

Cargo

There airport is the hub of Silk West Airlines, a well-known cargo carrier in the world. And its cargo hub is at the east side of the airport. With 9 stands supporting operations of E/F cargo planes.

Why should this airport be added to World of Airports?

I recommend this airport mainly due to (with the sequence from high to low):

The location is outstanding - A very great location in Central Asia, providing potentials for players to build up different connects to Europe and East Asia.
Balance between passenger and cargo - 2 passenger terminals with 1 cargo terminal covering regional and international operations. There are also 2 local carriers, 1 in passenger and 1 in cargo to allow players not opt for their own fleet progress this airport.
Showing the timeline and reflect different eras through the architecture - two architecturally excellent terminals showing the architectural history of Soviet Era and Modern times, which is very appealing to players who are looking for a diverse airport.
Ease of management - If players are tired of big airports and look for a break this is the point. Simply turn on ATC, have a cup of coffee, and watch planes moving around. Since this is not a big airport it would be very relaxing.

Would like also to discuss the architecture below…

Architectural Significance

The two terminals are very similar in shape and function while in totally different architecture. Both of them are award-winning projects.

Terminal 1, or the new terminal, presents the modern side of the Central Asia after Soviet Union collapsed. It was designed by architects in the west bloc and now used at the predominant gateway to the rest of the world.

On the other hand, Terminal 2, with Soviet rationalism architecture is the representation of the Soviet Era of Central Asia. The image above is the Terminal 2 as of completion.

The terminal later went into a renovation, predominantly a facade revamp. This made local elements be a part of the terminal, in another contrast with the new Terminal 1.

Seeing two terminals echo each other and tell the story of the different times in the region is a very good point to celebrate the history of aviation - in the terms of two blocs during the Cold War and local/international perspectives.

Major Airlines & Routes

Azerbaijan Airlines (J2)

The state-owned flag carrier of Azerbaijan and also the carrier of the Azerbaijan government.

AZAL is the last carrier operates A340-500 for passenger flights. Definitely would like WoA to add A345 during A340 family rework to allow us to have such contracts from Azerbaijan Airlines. Would be a very amazing experience.

It would be great if its B757-200 can be added to the game with B757 family rework as well.

Also it is possible to add some Soviet jets as special contracts or even better if they are normal contracts. J2 operated a lot of Tu-154M and they were retired in the 2010s so not very far away from now.

J2 operates flights to London Heathrow (LHR) and Prague (PRG), both of them are playable.

Azerbaijan Airlines also once owned Buta Airways, a low-cost airline also with IATA code J2. But it now ceased operation and all the planes are under the name of AZAL again.

Silk Way West Airlines (L7)

Silk Way West (L7) is a cargo carrier owned by the Silk Way Group.

Most planes from Silk Way West are available in the game, including their B767-300ER, B777-200F and B747-8F. The only missing is the B747-400F

They also have a subsidiary, called Silk Way Airlines (ZP), operating the Soviet IL-76.

Unique Features or Challenges

Runway Operation

Although this airport has 2 runways separated from each other, the direction is slightly different making it a challenge for players to choose from runway operation options when devs implement the function to choose from different runway operations.