Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) sits about 25 km north-east of central Baku and is the home base of Aircrew Travel. It is the main hub of Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) and of Silk Way West Airlines, one of the largest cargo carriers in the Caspian region, so passenger and freighter crews rotate through GYD around the clock. Because this is our own city, we run crew logistics here with first-hand local knowledge — accommodation, transfers, ticketing, lounges, visa support and insurance, coordinated 24/7.
Airport details
- Airport: Heydar Aliyev International Airport
- IATA code: GYD
- City: Baku, Azerbaijan
- Region: Caucasus & CIS
- Distance to city centre: ~25 km (about 30–40 min by road)
- Main hub airlines: Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), Silk Way West (cargo)
Getting to and from GYD
There is no rail link to Heydar Aliyev Airport, so crew transfers are by road via the Heydar Aliyev Avenue corridor into the city. We pre-book flight-tracked vehicles so layover crews are met regardless of arrival delays, and we stage early-morning pickups to clear Baku traffic for on-time report times. The drive to the city centre and seafront hotels is normally 30–40 minutes.
Crew rest at Baku
Hotel supply close to the terminal is limited, so most crews rest in central Baku, where rooms are quiet, blackout-capable and close to food at any hour — important for crews on Caspian and Central Asian schedules crossing several time zones. We hold crew-rest-compliant rates and keep transfer times short enough to protect minimum rest.
Crew services we arrange at Baku
- Crew accommodation — crew-rest-compliant hotels for layovers in Baku.
- Crew transportation — flight-tracked transfers to and from GYD.
- Air ticketing — positioning and deadhead travel via Baku.
- Airport lounges — crew rest during connections at GYD.
- Visa support — entry and transit visas for Azerbaijan (ASAN / e-visa).
- Travel insurance — cover for crews operating through Baku.
Why crews rely on us at GYD
As a Baku-based operator we know GYD\'s terminal flow, the road corridor into the city and the hotels that genuinely deliver crew rest. Our 24/7 team plans rest, transfers and ticketing around the operation and reacts in real time to schedule changes on both the AZAL passenger network and Silk Way freighter rotations.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Heydar Aliyev Airport from central Baku?
About 25 km, or 30–40 minutes by road depending on traffic. There is no train, so we arrange door-to-door transfers.
Do crews need a visa for Azerbaijan?
Most nationalities need an e-visa (ASAN Visa); we handle entry and transit visa support for layover and positioning crews.
Can you support last-minute crew changes at Baku?
Yes. As the home base, our 24/7 desk handles urgent accommodation, transport and ticketing at GYD.
Other airports in Caucasus & CIS
Need crew services at Heydar Aliyev International Airport? Talk to Aircrew Travel — 24/7. See all airport locations.