Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has indefinitely suspended its flights between Baku and the Russian city of Astrakhan due to ongoing airspace closures over the region. The airline announced the decision on Monday, citing the “recent and regular” restrictions affecting the route.
According to AZAL’s official statement, passengers affected by the suspension can request a full refund or rebook their tickets. However, this latest route cancellation is not an isolated case. Since late December, the airline has halted flights to multiple Russian cities, including Kazan, following a tragic plane crash that raised serious concerns about flight safety in the region.
A Flight Route in Question
On December 25, 2024, an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau while en route from Baku to Grozny in Russia’s Chechen Republic. The crash claimed the lives of 38 passengers and crew members out of the 67 people on board.
Initial reports suggested that a bird collision might have caused the accident, but further investigations raised more alarming possibilities. Video footage from the crash site revealed large holes in the aircraft’s tail section, fueling speculation of an attack.
A Diplomatic Crisis Unfolds
The situation escalated when Azerbaijani officials confirmed to Anadolu Agency that a Russian missile system brought the plane down. The claim was reinforced by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who stated that the aircraft was hit by “weapons fire from the ground.”
In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued an apology and offered condolences to Azerbaijan in a phone call with Aliyev. However, Azerbaijan remains firm in its demands for an official acknowledgment of guilt, punishment of those responsible, and financial compensation for the victims.
Uncertainty in the Skies
Tensions are mounting, and flight routes are increasingly affected, leaving travelers to navigate a growing web of restrictions. The suspension of flights to Astrakhan marks another disruption in air travel between Azerbaijan and Russia, raising concerns about the broader implications for regional connectivity.
As investigations continue, Azerbaijan Airlines may extend further suspensions, leaving many to wonder which routes will be next. Until a resolution is reached, one thing is clear—the airspace over parts of Russia is becoming a no-fly zone for more than just Azerbaijan Airlines.
