The Azerbaijan State Civil Aviation Authority has announced the suspension of several flight routes following the preliminary findings of an investigation into the crash of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243. The Embraer 190 aircraft, which was operating a service from Baku to Grozny, met with an accident on December 25, 2024, near Aktau International Airport in Kazakhstan.
According to the preliminary investigation results, the crash was caused by “physical and technical external interference.” This revelation has prompted Azerbaijan Airlines to suspend flights to multiple Russian destinations, including Grozny and Makhachkala, until further notice. The decision underscores the potential risks to flight safety that have been highlighted by the incident.
The aircraft, carrying 67 passengers and crew, was diverted from its original route due to adverse weather conditions in Grozny, leading to an emergency situation. The crash resulted in 38 fatalities, with 29 survivors reported.
The Azerbaijan State Civil Aviation Authority, in coordination with Azerbaijan Airlines, has emphasized that this suspension will remain in effect until the final investigation concludes, ensuring all safety measures are reassessed and reinforced.
