Azerbaijan Airlines Suspends Flights to Several Russian Cities Due to Crash Investigation
MOSCOW, Dec 27 (Bernama-AA) — Azerbaijan Airlines has announced that preliminary results of an investigation into the crash of its Embraer 190 aircraft in Kazakhstan on Wednesday have shown that "physical and technical external interference" was the cause of the accident.
Flight Suspension
In a statement on Telegram, the airline said that it has suspended flights to several Russian cities, including Mineralnye Vody, Sochi, Volgograd, Ufa, Samara, Saratov, Nizhny Novgorod, and Vladikavkaz, starting from Saturday. This decision was made in accordance with the Azerbaijan State Civil Aviation Authority and is based on the preliminary results of the investigation, which considers potential risks to flight safety. The suspension will remain in effect until the completion of the final investigation.
Additional Flight Suspension
The airline has also continued to suspend flights to the cities of Grozny and Makhachkala, which were suspended since Wednesday. Furthermore, other airlines have been asked to suspend their flights to these destinations for safety reasons.
Passenger Refund and Rebooking
Azerbaijan Airlines has announced that passengers who are unable to use the airline’s services due to the current situation are eligible to receive a full refund without penalties or rebook their tickets.
Background of the Crash
The crash occurred on Wednesday when an Azerbaijan Airlines flight from Baku to Grozny in Russia’s Chechen Republic went down near Aktau, located on the Caspian Sea coast, with 67 people onboard. According to Kazakh officials, 38 people were killed in the crash, while 29 survived.
Conclusion
The suspension of flights to several Russian cities is a precautionary measure taken by Azerbaijan Airlines to ensure the safety of its passengers and staff. The airline is committed to providing the best possible service to its customers, and this decision is a testament to its dedication to safety and security.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Why has Azerbaijan Airlines suspended flights to several Russian cities?
A: The airline has suspended flights to several Russian cities due to the crash of its Embraer 190 aircraft in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, which was caused by "physical and technical external interference". - Q: How many people were on board the flight that crashed?
A: There were 67 people onboard the flight that crashed. - Q: How many people were killed in the crash?
A: According to Kazakh officials, 38 people were killed in the crash. - Q: Are passengers eligible for a refund or rebooking?
A: Yes, passengers who are unable to use the airline’s services due to the current situation are eligible to receive a full refund without penalties or rebook their tickets. - Q: How long will the suspension of flights remain in effect?
A: The suspension of flights will remain in effect until the completion of the final investigation.