IATA urges transparent investigation into Azerbaijan airlines crash near Aktau
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called for a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation into the crash of Azerbaijan Airlines flight 8243 on December 25, 2024.
The investigation should comply with Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention, which mandates the publication of an interim report within 30 days of the accident, IATA stated.
“Our deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of those who have perished. Out of respect for the 38 people who lost their lives and to those who survived, we must find out why this catastrophe happened and take action to ensure there is never a repeat,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
Investigation and Legal Framework
The call for an impartial inquiry follows confirmations from the governments of Azerbaijan and Russia that the crash occurred in Russian airspace during nearby military operations.
“Civil aircraft must never be the intended or accidental target of military operations. The strong potential that Azerbaijan Airlines flight 8243 could have been the victim of military operations places the highest priority on conducting a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation,” Walsh stated.
He emphasized that the investigation’s findings must be published within 30 days, as required by the Chicago Convention. Should it be determined that military operations were responsible for the crash, Walsh called for those involved to be held accountable.
Compliance and Ongoing Initiatives
IATA highlighted the obligations of states under international law to ensure the safety of civil aviation during conflicts. These include Article 48 of the Protocol to the Geneva Conventions, which prohibits targeting civilian objects, and provisions under the Chicago Convention to protect civil aircraft and passengers.
IATA expressed support for the Safe Skies Consultative Committee, which works to reduce risks in conflict zones through enhanced information sharing and operational guidance for states and aviation operators.
Incident Details
Azerbaijan Airlines flight 8243, an Embraer 190 aircraft, was en route from Baku to Grozny when it crashed near Aktau, Mangistau region, Kazakhstan. The aircraft carried 67 people, including five crew members. Of these, 38 people lost their lives, including six Kazakh nationals, while 29 survived.
The Transport Prosecutor of Mangistau region, Abylaibek Ordabayev, confirmed that the aircraft’s black boxes had been recovered. The Commission for Investigation of the Aviation Incident has decided to send the flight recorders to Brazil, the aircraft’s manufacturing country, for analysis. Azerbaijani experts will participate in this process.