Buta Airways
Buta Airways was an Azerbaijani low-cost airline brand and wholly owned subsidiary of Azerbaijan Airlines, operating from Baku before merging into its parent in 2023.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Buta Airways was an Azerbaijani low-cost airline brand headquartered in Baku and based primarily at Heydar Aliyev International Airport. It was created by Azerbaijan Airlines as the successor to AZALJet, an earlier in-house low-cost operating concept launched in 2016. Buta Airways was intended to give the Azerbaijan Airlines group a distinct, lower-cost product with its own visual identity, operating staff and tariff structure while retaining a close relationship with the national carrier. The brand was publicly developed during 2017. Azerbaijan Airlines approved its logo and aircraft livery on 2 June that year, and the name change from AZALJet to Buta Airways took effect on 1 September. The identity drew on the buta, a traditional Azerbaijani ornamental motif associated in the airline's explanation with the mythical Simurgh bird. Blue elements signified the relationship with Azerbaijan Airlines, while red referenced the Azerbaijani flag. The airline initially planned to operate two Embraer aircraft in its own livery, with a separate commercial policy and its own staff. Buta Airways positioned itself as a value-oriented carrier rather than a fully unbundled airline. Promotional fares were announced from €29 for a one-way journey, subject to the applicable route and conditions. Passengers received a basic onboard service that included water and a sandwich, while services such as checked baggage, hot meals and seat selection could be purchased separately. This model allowed the airline to present a lower headline fare while offering optional upgrades and ancillary services. The carrier expanded its network progressively. Its first European destination was Sofia, launched on a weekly basis in January 2018. By December of that year, the fleet had grown to eight Embraer E190 aircraft. In 2019, the airline added Batumi, Ufa and Odesa, and its planned network reached 18 destinations across seven countries. Its route portfolio connected Baku with destinations in Europe, the Caucasus, Russia and nearby regional markets. Buta Airways' Russian operations were affected by the geopolitical and operational consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The airline suspended flights to Russia indefinitely, citing risks associated with the performance of international services. It resumed connections with Russian cities in June 2022. By April 2023, routes from Baku to Astrakhan, Mineralnye Vody, Kazan, Ufa and Moscow had been restored, while Volgograd had been added in January 2023. The brand did not continue as an independent airline. On 28 July 2023, Azerbaijan Airlines announced that Buta Airways would be merged into the parent carrier in October 2023. The merger ended Buta Airways' separate brand and operating identity, consolidating its activities within Azerbaijan Airlines.
History
Buta Airways emerged from Azerbaijan Airlines' effort to establish a dedicated low-cost airline. In December 2015, Azerbaijan Airlines announced that it would create an in-house carrier called AZALJet. Flight schedules began in September 2016, but the initial concept was subsequently replaced after only several months of operation. The replacement was designed as a more clearly differentiated airline, with a new brand, separate livery, its own employees and an independent tariff policy. The new identity was named Buta Airways. On 2 June 2017, the airline approved its logo and aircraft design. The visual system was built around the buta, a familiar Azerbaijani ornamental form that the airline associated with the mythological sacred bird Simurgh. Blue elements connected the new carrier to Azerbaijan Airlines, while red elements echoed the national flag. The name change took effect on 1 September 2017. The initial operating plan called for two Embraer aircraft in Buta Airways colors. Commercially, Buta Airways used a low-fare model with a limited core service and paid options. Its announced one-way fares started at €29, and the basic ticket included water and a sandwich. Customers could pay extra for baggage, hot meals and seat selection. This structure placed the airline between a traditional full-service national carrier and a strictly unbundled budget airline, using the Azerbaijan Airlines group relationship while presenting a separate customer proposition. Network development followed the launch. On 16 January 2018, Buta Airways operated its first service to Europe, a weekly route to Sofia. By December 2018, the fleet had reached eight Embraer E190 jets. During 2019, the carrier added Batumi, Ufa and Odesa and reported a planned network of 18 destinations in seven countries. Its operations were centered on Baku's Heydar Aliyev International Airport and focused on regional international connectivity. The airline's Russian network was disrupted in 2022. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February, Buta Airways suspended all flights to Russia indefinitely, referring to risks connected with international operations. In June of the same year, Russian services resumed. By April 2023, the restored network included Astrakhan, Mineralnye Vody, Kazan, Ufa and Moscow, and the airline had introduced a Baku–Volgograd route in January 2023. Buta Airways ultimately became a temporary brand within the Azerbaijan Airlines group rather than a permanently separate carrier. On 28 July 2023, the group announced plans to merge the airline into Azerbaijan Airlines in October. The consolidation brought the Buta Airways operation back under the Azerbaijan Airlines identity and ended Buta Airways as an independent brand.
- 2023
Merger into Azerbaijan Airlines announced
[1]The parent group announced that Buta Airways would be merged into Azerbaijan Airlines in October.
- 2022
Russian routes suspended and resumed
[1]Flights to Russia were suspended after the invasion of Ukraine and resumed in June.
- 2019
Regional network expansion
[1]Batumi, Ufa and Odesa were added, with the planned network reaching 18 destinations in seven countries.
- 2018
First European route launched
[1]Buta Airways began weekly service to Sofia on 16 January.
- 2018
Fleet reaches eight Embraer E190 aircraft
[1]The airline's fleet expanded to eight Embraer E190 jets by December.
- 2017
Buta Airways identity approved
[1]The logo and livery were approved in June, and the Buta Airways name replaced AZALJet on 1 September.
- 2016
AZALJet schedules begin
[1]The initial low-cost operation launched scheduled services in September before being replaced by the Buta Airways concept.
- 2015
AZALJet low-cost airline announced
[1]Azerbaijan Airlines announced plans for an in-house low-cost carrier, which became the predecessor concept for Buta Airways.
Products and positioning
Azerbaijani low-cost regional airline offering low headline fares, a basic included onboard service and paid optional extras, while operating as a wholly owned brand of Azerbaijan Airlines.
Passenger air transport · 2017
Scheduled passenger flights
Buta Airways operated scheduled international passenger services from its main base at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku. Its network served regional destinations in Europe, Russia, the Caucasus and nearby markets, using a fleet centered on Embraer E190 aircraft. The service was designed for short- and medium-haul travel under a low-cost brand distinct from Azerbaijan Airlines.
Airline fare product · 2017
Low-fare basic ticket
The airline's core fare proposition emphasized a low advertised price, with announced one-way fares starting from €29 on applicable services. A sandwich and water were included in the basic onboard service, while baggage, hot meals and seat selection were offered as additional paid options.
Aircraft-based service · 2017
Embraer E190 regional service
Embraer E190 jets formed the principal aircraft type associated with Buta Airways. The airline began with a plan for two aircraft in its own livery and had expanded to eight E190 aircraft by December 2018, supporting its regional route expansion from Baku.
Brand decisions
2023
Merge Buta Airways into Azerbaijan AirlinesM&ABackground
Azerbaijan Airlines announced a group-level consolidation of the separate low-cost brand.
Action taken
The parent company announced that Buta Airways would be merged into Azerbaijan Airlines in October 2023.
Aftermath
Buta Airways ceased to operate as an independent airline brand.
2022
Suspend and later restore Russian servicesStrategyBackground
The Russian invasion of Ukraine created operational and risk concerns for international flights.
Action taken
Buta Airways suspended all Russian routes indefinitely and resumed connections with Russian cities in June 2022.
Aftermath
By April 2023, several Russian destinations were again served and Volgograd had been added to the network.
2017
Replace AZALJet with Buta AirwaysStrategyBackground
Azerbaijan Airlines decided that the initial AZALJet concept should be replaced after several months of operation by a more distinctly branded low-cost airline.
Action taken
The group established Buta Airways with its own livery, staff and tariff policy while retaining full ownership under Azerbaijan Airlines.
Aftermath
Buta Airways became the group's dedicated low-cost brand and expanded its regional network from Baku.
2017
Introduce low-fare and ancillary-service modelPrice changeBackground
The new airline was intended to compete as a lower-cost alternative while preserving a basic onboard service.
Action taken
Buta Airways announced one-way fares starting from €29 and charged separately for services such as baggage, hot meals and seat selection.
Aftermath
The pricing structure established the brand's value-oriented market positioning.
Sources1 sources
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