Minimising stress airport - welcome to Baku

Once again we are going back to 50skyshades visit to Baku. This time with our big discovery - minimising stress airport, we felt in love with after seeing so many different around the world. Discovering Heydar Aliyev International Airport we felt so comfortable, were impressed by so many things, that it was absolutely necessary to find out more and share with our readers.

So let’s start with official information: Heydar Aliyev International Airport (IATA: GYD, ICAO: UBBB) (former Bina International Airport) Is International airport in Azerbaidjan located 20 km northeast of the capital Baku. The airport is the home of Azerbaijan Airlines, the national flag carrier. It is the busiest airport in Azerbaijan and of the Causasus.

Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku is the principal airport of Azerbaijan, and potentially a major hub for the whole of the Caucasus region.Construction of the new terminal started in May 2011 exactly aiming to convert Baku International Airport into a hub for the whole region. The building, officially opened in October 2013, tripled the capacity of the airport and operates international flights whereas the previous terminal is now used for domestic flights only.

As we were told, the terminal design has been greatly influenced by the vision and design ideas of the client, Mr Jahangir Askerov, president of Azerbaijan Airways (AZAL). Among the main design sense tasks were to promote Baku and Azerbaijan to the wider world and to create spaces which are a pleasure to use, encourage relaxation and minimise stress.

This is achieved through generously-proportioned, naturally-lit spaces with extensive internal and external views. The terminal will also offer luxury shopping and leisure areas.

The design includes a tapered facade which gives the building a unique appearance. The innovative shape allows light from the facade and roof to enter the space. Skylights are an integral part of the steel structure of the roof. The building's design, developed by Arup in collaboration with Woods Bagot and Buro Happold, is based on the shape of a triangle with rounded off edges and angles. The fully glazed, tapered facade provides the building with its characteristic aesthetics.

With a total usable area of 58.000 sqm on 4 floors, the new terminal is able to serve 3 million passengers per year. A 4.000 m long runway and 13 passenger boarding bridges allow to receive 8 airplanes at a time. The construction of a new air traffic control tower was also part of the project. 

So take a tour with us and feel yourselves home!

Business class lounge area

Amazing luxury shopping and leisure area

Photos BY Dmitry Petrochenko/Bizavnews!