Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) and several other airlines have announced the suspension of flights to Russian destinations following the fatal accident involving an AZAL aircraft on December 25, 2024.
The crash, which occurred near the Kazakh city of Aktau, killed 38 of the 67 people on board, raising concerns about the safety of Russian airspace.
AZAL has suspended flights between Baku and Kazan indefinitely, citing “regular airspace closures” over Russian cities. This follows the airline's previous decision to suspend flights to eight other destinations in Russia, including Sochi, Volgograd and Nizhny Novgorod. AZAL said these measures are part of a broader effort to ensure passenger safety amid heightened tensions and an ongoing investigation into the accident.
The airline confirmed in a statement that passengers affected by the cancellation can rebook their tickets or request a full refund. AZAL emphasized its commitment to closely monitor the situation and provide updates to passengers as necessary.
The incident has caused repercussions across the aviation industry, with several airlines reassessing the risks of operating in Russian airspace. Turkmenistan Airlines, for example, has canceled flights between Ashgabat and Moscow until the end of January. Similarly, Israeli airline El Al has suspended flights to Moscow next week, citing “developments in Russian airspace.”
Initial investigations into the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 suggest that the plane may have been hit by a missile from a Russian air defense system. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev accused Russia of trying to cover up the incident and demanded accountability. Russian officials have acknowledged that air defense operations were underway at the time of the crash, but have stopped short of admitting responsibility.
The crash occurred as the plane approached Grozny, the capital of Russia's Chechen Republic, forcing it to divert to Aktau. Video footage and preliminary reports showed the plane suffered significant damage, including multiple holes in the tail section, contradicting previous claims that it had been hit by a bird. Investigators are continuing to analyze the plane's black box, which has been sent to Brazil for further testing.
The incident has strained diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, with Aliyev criticizing the Russian government's response. Despite an apology from Russian President Vladimir Putin, tensions remain high as both countries await the results of the final investigation.
The accident and subsequent grounding highlight growing concerns about the safety of Russian airspace, especially for international airlines. With investigations ongoing, the airline industry is under increasing pressure to prioritize transparency and passenger safety in a volatile geopolitical climate.
