Azerbaijan is set to strengthen tourism links with Europe through a new Brussels-Baku air route, according to Florian Sengstschmid, CEO of the Azerbaijan Tourism Board. In an interview in Brussels, he said Europe has always been a priority for the country's tourism strategy.
Azerbaijan Airlines plans to operate four weekly flights between Brussels and Baku starting 8 May 2027, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Sengstschmid described the Belgian connection as another chapter in efforts to improve accessibility from European markets.
He emphasized that flights alone are not enough, and that European travellers need a clearer understanding of Azerbaijan's culture, history and identity. He pointed to European architectural influences in Baku, the legacy of the Nobel and Siemens families, and German contributions to the country's wine industry as familiar reference points.
The tourism board is also focusing on major events and health tourism, including a visa-on-arrival arrangement for Formula 1 ticket holders that ended on 30 September 2026. Sengstschmid sees potential for multi-country South Caucasus itineraries, similar to the Vienna-Prague-Budapest route, once border conditions allow.
For travellers, the new Brussels connection will offer another direct entry point to Azerbaijan, potentially making it easier to explore the country's cultural and historical sites alongside regional destinations.
