Azerbaijan Airlines and its own LCC, Buta Airways will merge under a new single brand – Azal, a name it has used in the past. The aim is for the merger to be complete by October of this year.

The  airline says that the merger will include the ‘best qualities’ of both airlines, with a luggage-free ‘Buta Budget’ fare offered on all  flights. Various discount campaigns will also be continued throughout the year. Hand baggage will be included in all fares and the baggage allowance will be increased except for the Buta Budget seats. The airline is also developing a new menu.

Buta was a relatively late entrant into the low-cost sector, having started operations in 2016 under the AzalJet name. It rebranded a year later and currently operates eight Embraer 190 aircraft. Despite being a low-fare airline, it offered passengers free sandwiches and water with further refreshments being available to buy if required.

Azal has orders for a number of new aircraft, including a dozen A320/321neo and a similar number of B787 Dreamliners.