The city of Baku has turned into a gathering point for global cargo leaders this week. More than 400 delegates – from airlines, airports, and integrators – arrived for the Caspian Air Cargo Summit 2025, where one topic dominated: the Middle Corridor.

The route, running from China through Central Asia, across the Caspian Sea, and into Europe via the Caucasus and the Black Sea, has been talked about for years. But with the Red Sea still unstable and shipping detours around Africa adding weeks to voyages, interest in this alternative is suddenly very real.

Azerbaijani officials used the summit to unveil a $1.2 billion investment plan. The program includes modernizing airports, expanding rail capacity, and simplifying border procedures. According to the Ministry of Transport, the goal is to double throughput by 2027.

For forwarders and shippers, the pitch is compelling:

• Transit times of 18 to 22 days from China to Europe, compared with 30 or more on rerouted maritime services.

• Early agreements between Baku, Almaty, and Constanța that promise a 40% reduction in customs delays.

• Cargo flights and multimodal services set to become regular by winter 2025, with a focus on e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, and high-value goods.

One airline executive at the summit summed it up: “This isn’t just a backup anymore. It’s becoming a real part of the network.”

The Middle Corridor may not yet rival traditional sea lanes in scale, but momentum is clearly building. For shippers burned by delays elsewhere, Baku is offering something they haven’t had in months: a credible plan B.

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