Two Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) flights, J2-285 and J2-291, operating on the Baku-Nakhchivan route, were forced to return to Baku due to severe weather conditions, including lightning and hail, in the region. The aircraft landed safely at Heydar Aliyev International Airport at 21:27 and 21:32, respectively.
This information was confirmed to the Operative Information Center-OMM by the press service of Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC.
The airline noted that adverse weather conditions are expected to persist throughout the day. Passengers will be provided with detailed information regarding any potential schedule changes, and flights will resume normal operations once weather conditions stabilize.
"We would like to inform you that the unstable weather observed in Nakhchivan in recent days has complicated the execution of flights on the Baku–Nakhchivan–Baku route according to the planned schedule, leading to certain changes in flight timetables," the CJSC stated. "Due to Nakhchivan's geographical location and mountainous terrain, wind, limited visibility, and rapidly changing meteorological conditions often directly impact flight operations. Therefore, operational decisions are made in accordance with weather conditions to ensure the safety of flights."
Nakhchivan, an exclave of Azerbaijan, is separated from the country's mainland by Armenia and Iran. Due to its unique topography and mountainous climate, the region frequently experiences distinct weather patterns that can necessitate adjustments to aviation schedules to prioritize passenger safety.
