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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan departed for Azerbaijan on Wednesday to participate in Independence Day celebrations and inaugurate the Lacin International Airport alongside Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The Lacin International Airport represents the third airport constructed in territories liberated by Azerbaijan from Armenian occupation, marking a significant milestone in the region's post-conflict reconstruction efforts.
Erdogan departed from Ankara's Esenboga Airport aboard the presidential aircraft "TUR" on Wednesday morning, heading to Azerbaijan's Lacin region. Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz, Presidential Secretary-General Hakki Susmaz, and Ankara Governor Vasip Sahin saw off the president.
The Turkish delegation includes Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, Defense Minister Yasar Guler, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli, and Trade Minister Omer Bolat.
President Erdogan previously participated in the opening ceremonies for two other airports in Azerbaijan's liberated territories. The Fuzuli International Airport, the first airport built in the liberated regions, was inaugurated on Oct. 26, 2021, with both Erdogan and Aliyev in attendance.
The leaders also opened the Zengilan International Airport on Oct. 20, 2022.
Located 1,800 meters (5,905.51 feet) above sea level, the Lacin International Airport holds the distinction of being Azerbaijan's highest altitude airport. Construction began in 2021 in mountainous terrain, requiring extensive rock excavation and land leveling.
The airport features a 3,000-meter runway with a 60-meter width and a terminal building capable of serving 200 passengers per hour. The facility is strategically positioned 30 kilometers from Lacin city center, 70 kilometers from Shusha, and 60 kilometers from Kelbacer.
Azerbaijan Prime Minister Ali Asadov signed a decree on May 26 granting the Lacin Airport international status. The decision was communicated to international organizations, bringing Azerbaijan's total number of international airports to nine.
The new airport is expected to significantly contribute to tourism and trade development in the region.
During the visit, Erdogan is scheduled to meet with President Aliyev to discuss bilateral relations and current regional and global developments. The trip will also feature the second meeting of the "Türkiye-Azerbaijan-Pakistan Trilateral Summit" with Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif's participation.
The Turkish president is scheduled to participate in the Lacin International Airport inauguration ceremony and Azerbaijan's Independence Day cultural events.
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