The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan is continuing its investigation into the crash of an aircraft belonging to Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) near Aktau Airport. The Operative Information Center-OMM, citing TASS, reports that the ministry has confirmed the ongoing status of the inquiry.
"Currently, the commission investigating the aviation accident involving the Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 4K-AZ65 aircraft is continuing its work in accordance with the standards and recommended practices established by Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation," the ministry stated. This clarification came in response to inquiries regarding whether the investigation would proceed following statements from the foreign policy departments of Russia and Azerbaijan.
The ministry emphasized that once the investigation is concluded, a final report will be published on the official website of the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan. "The report will reflect the established causes of the aviation accident, the commission's findings, and its recommendations," the ministry added. The investigation adheres to the protocols of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which governs how member states conduct safety inquiries to prevent future occurrences.
The incident occurred on December 25, 2024, when an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer aircraft traveling from Baku to Grozny crashed near the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan. The aircraft was carrying 62 passengers—including 37 citizens of Azerbaijan, 16 of Russia, 6 of Kazakhstan, and 3 of Kyrgyzstan—along with five crew members. The crash resulted in 38 fatalities, while 29 people, including three children, survived. Preliminary data suggested that the aircraft crashed due to physical and technical external interference occurring in the airspace over Grozny, Russia.
In April 2026, Azerbaijan and Russia reached an agreement regarding the mitigation of the tragedy's consequences, including the payment of compensation to the victims' families and the survivors. Azerbaijan Airlines, the national flag carrier headquartered in Baku, operates a modern fleet and maintains a significant role in regional aviation connectivity within the South Caucasus and Central Asia.
