Investigation into Azerbaijani AZAL Plane Crash Takes New Turn

The investigation into the AZAL plane crash near Aktau airport, conducted by the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan, is nearing completion, with results expected to be presented in 2025 or early 2026. This was stated by Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev, who commented on the progress of the investigation.

According to him, the investigation consists of two tracks. The Prosecutor General's Office is carrying out a criminal proceeding and, within this framework, Kazakhstan is cooperating with its Russian and Azerbaijani counterparts. 'The second part pertains to the Ministry of Transport's investigation. The investigation by the Ministry of Transport is in its final stages. We are now awaiting final conclusions from the technology, aviation navigation device licensors, and others,' he stated.

Regarding the investigation by the Prosecutor General's Office, Bozumbayev noted that 'there is also progress there.' 'You have seen the statements from various leaders of neighboring countries. Therefore, we hope that next year (the investigation) will conclude there as well,' emphasized the Deputy Prime Minister.

Earlier, Bozumbayev mentioned that the final report on the investigation should be ready by the end of the year, as the regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organization impose such requirements.

It is noteworthy that the Embraer-190 aircraft crashed on December 25, 2024, near the Aktau port. There were 67 people on board, 38 of whom, including six Kazakh citizens, lost their lives. The incident has escalated tensions in Azerbaijan-Russia relations, as reports indicate that the aircraft was damaged within Russian airspace.