The most beautiful airport in the world: Baku, Azerbaijan

I have visited more than a hundred different airports in the world - from small sheds on the outskirts of the world to huge air towns in major megacities. But nowhere did I get such aesthetic satisfaction as in Baku. I could say that it’s worthwhile to come to Baku to take a look at the airport, but I’m too in love with this beautiful city. That’s why today I’m just inviting you to the Museum of Modern Art ... which is really just an airport!

The airport in Baku can not be directly compared with Dubai or Singapore, the dimensions and traffic are not there, there are no swimming pools or butterfly gardens, for example, but there is such an atmosphere in which the waiting for the flight is so cozy and comfortable, and the arrival is accompanied by surprise from what you see! I already wrote on my Facebook page that the two most beautiful airports are located in two diametrically opposite points of Europe - Terminal 4 of the Barajas airport in Madrid and the Airport. Heydar Aliyev in Baku. On the second today we are taking a walk.

Outside, the new terminal in Baku looks in the spirit of most modern airports: a mix of geometry, futurism and high-tech materials - concrete, glass and metal. Inside, the Turkish architectural studio Autoban, inspired by oriental hospitality, created a lively and unusual interior with wooden cocoon elements.

The terminal itself is relatively small. At the same time, it now looks underloaded, so there are reserves of capacities here.

The new complex is able to serve 6 million passengers a year, its area is 65 thousand square meters.

The airport has 4 floors and a spacious entrance hall:

The ground floor serves departing passengers, as well as baggage claim for arriving flights. The second floor of the complex is provided for arriving passengers. Border control, aviation security control of transit passengers, issuing visas, as well as recreation areas are located here.

There is even a “makdachnaya”, but to go into it in Azerbaijan is sacrilege! This is a country of gastronomic orgasm with amazing (but not always healthy) cuisine.

The construction contractor was MAPA, the equipment supplier was SITA. WAAGNER-BIRO completed the design and façade of the building, Woods Bagot architects and Buro Happold engineers installed structural, seismic systems. AUTOBAN created an interior design, VANDERLANDE developed a baggage management system, CAVAG supplied passenger entry platforms and telescopic ramps, and SCHINDLER installed elevators and escalators.

On the third floor, provided for sending passengers, customs and border controls are carried out. Duty free shops and cafes are located on this floor.

One of the few airports where there is no compromise between clean and dirty areas is equally comfortable and meeting and traveling.

The four floors of the building at all levels are entwined with inside structures of peculiar "cocoons" made of oak veneer, while the architects hid the cafes, bars, and trade stalls in the Salam Lounges business area on the top floor in wooden hemispheres.

Just a coffee shop, but how cozy it is on the second floor!

In the area of arrival and departure - carpet and, accordingly, quietly and gently. This is not so common - in Singapore, Delhi, partly in Hong Kong.

There are no terraces overlooking the platform in Baku, but there is a cafe with panoramic windows:

The base carrier is the national airline AZAL. A classic airline with 4 stars in the SkyTrax rating at Lufthansa, for example. I flew with them several times, always remained completely delighted! Now the company has introduced differentiation of tariff policy and budget tariffs in some areas.