Ilham Aliyev Meets Families of AZAL Plane Crash Victims, Highlights Heroism of Crew Members

Baku, The Gulf Observer: On January 6, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with the families of the crew members who lost their lives and the surviving flight attendants of the Embraer 190 passenger plane crash on the Baku-Grozny route, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC (AZAL). The meeting followed the tragic incident that occurred on December 25, 2024, and highlighted the extraordinary heroism of the flight crew in saving passengers’ lives.

President Aliyev’s Remarks

During the meeting, President Aliyev provided a detailed account of the accident, which involved the loss of control and severe damage to the aircraft due to an external impact near Grozny. Despite the critical situation, the pilots managed to perform an emergency landing in Aktau, Kazakhstan, saving the lives of approximately 30 passengers. Tragically, three crew members—two pilots and one flight attendant—lost their lives in the process.

President Aliyev expressed his deep condolences to the victims’ families and praised the crew’s courage and professionalism. He noted that their heroic actions prevented a larger catastrophe, saying, “If the pilots had not demonstrated professionalism and heroism, there would have been no survivors in this accident.”

State Recognition and Investigation

In recognition of their bravery, President Aliyev announced that the three deceased crew members were posthumously awarded the title of National Hero of Azerbaijan, while two surviving flight attendants were granted the Order of Rashadat of the 1st Category. He emphasized the Azerbaijani state’s commitment to honoring its citizens and supporting their families during this difficult time.

President Aliyev also addressed ongoing investigative efforts. A State Commission has been established, and Azerbaijan’s Prosecutor’s Office has launched a criminal case. Preliminary findings indicate that the plane was subjected to external electronic warfare and ground fire. President Aliyev questioned the lack of timely warnings to the crew about threats in Russian airspace and criticized the apparent cover-up by Russian authorities.

Call for Justice

The black boxes are being analyzed in Brazil, with representatives from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia overseeing the process to ensure transparency and objectivity. President Aliyev expressed confidence that the investigation would reveal the full truth, adding, “We demand justice, we demand punishment of the guilty, and we demand full transparency.”

Support for Families

In his closing remarks, President Aliyev reaffirmed the Azerbaijani state’s unwavering support for the victims’ families and pledged to address their concerns promptly. He stated, “The strong Azerbaijani state stands behind you. In any situation in your lives, rest assured that you have our full support.”

This tragic event has drawn significant attention from international media, with experts commending the crew’s professionalism and heroism. As the investigation unfolds, Azerbaijan remains steadfast in its pursuit of justice and accountability for this devastating incident.