Baku: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev addressed the coordination failures that led to a tragic aviation accident involving an Embraer 190 passenger plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC on the Baku-Grozny route. During a meeting with the families of the deceased crew members and the surviving flight attendants, President Aliyev emphasized that adherence to ground service rules and proper coordination between the Russian armed forces and civilian services could have prevented the tragedy.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, President Aliyev underscored the Azerbaijani state’s appreciation for the courage and dedication of its citizens. He announced that three of the crew members were posthumously bestowed with the title of National Hero, and the two surviving crew members received high state honors. While acknowledging these honors may offer limited solace to the bereaved families, the President highlighted the state’s commitment to its citizens and the pursuit of justice for the lives lost.

President Aliyev further addressed the importance of prompt reaction and principled action in such situations, reiterating the value placed on every Azerbaijani citizen’s life. He insisted on accountability and punishment for those responsible for the accident, stressing that if Russian airspace near Grozny had been closed in a timely manner and if all ground service protocols had been followed, the disaster might have been averted.