AZAL flight makes emergency landing in St. Petersburg: all passengers safe PHOTO / VIDEO/ UPDATED

An aircraft sent from Baku to pick up passengers of St. Petersburg–Baku flight lands in the Azerbaijani capital

The aircraft dispatched by Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) from Baku to transport passengers of flight J2-020 (St. Petersburg–Baku) has arrived in the Azerbaijani capital, Caliber.Az reports, citing the airline’s press service.

According to AZAL, the plane landed at Heydar Aliyev International Airport at 14:24 Baku time.

14:30

On October 20, an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) Airbus A320 operating flight J2-020 from St. Petersburg to Baku made an emergency landing at Pulkovo Airport, Caliber.Az reports.

According to AZAL’s press service, the aircraft had undergone a scheduled full technical inspection and was in perfect working condition at the time of the flight.

“In September 2025, the aircraft successfully passed a scheduled ‘A-check.’ All maintenance procedures were performed according to manufacturer requirements and the airline’s internal standards. Our experienced pilots fully complied with both AZAL’s safety regulations and international aviation requirements,” the statement read.

The airline emphasized that the professionalism of the pilots minimized all potential risks, ensuring the maximum safety of passengers and the flight.

11:42 

Passengers of the plane that went off the runway at Pulkovo Airport have flown to Baku on a replacement aircraft, RBC reports.

09:40

First footage emerges of Airbus A320 making an emergency landing at Pulkovo Airport.

09:03

An Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) flight en route from St. Petersburg to Baku made an emergency landing early in the early hours of October 20 due to a technical issue with its landing gear, Caliber.Az reports, citing the company.

According to AZAL, the Airbus A320 operating flight J2-020 safely returned to Pulkovo Airport after circling over St. Petersburg’s airspace for nearly three hours to burn off excess fuel.

“To ensure maximum flight safety, the captain of the Airbus A320 operating Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-020 on the St. Petersburg–Baku route decided to return and land at Pulkovo Airport due to a technical issue related to the landing gear,” the airline said in an official statement.

Emergency and rescue services at Pulkovo Airport were placed on standby in line with established aviation safety procedures.

“In accordance with all safety procedures, the crew carefully carried out the necessary actions, including fuel burn-off before landing,” AZAL noted.

The aircraft touched down successfully at 04:43 Baku time, though it reportedly rolled slightly beyond the runway upon landing.

All 155 passengers on board were promptly evacuated, and no injuries were reported.

“Azerbaijan Airlines expresses its gratitude to passengers for their calmness and understanding, and thanks the Pulkovo Airport services for their professional and well-coordinated actions,” the company added.

Another aircraft has been dispatched by the airline to transport the passengers from St. Petersburg to Baku later today.

According to data from Flightradar24, the AZAL Airbus A320 circled over St. Petersburg’s airspace for approximately three hours before performing the emergency landing.

Photos from Pulkovo Airport show emergency response teams operating near the aircraft shortly after the landing.

By Vugar Khalilov