Azerbaijan issues commemorative stamp honouring AZAL plane crash heroes

Azerbaijan has released a postage stamp commemorating the Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) aircraft that crashed in Kazakhstan on December 25 last year.

The unveiling ceremony was held at the Azerbaijan National Museum of History on December 23, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

The stamp’s design incorporates the infinity symbol, representing the enduring memory of the tragedy, its victims, and the heroism of the flight crew, whose actions left a lasting mark in national history.

The initiative was a joint project between AZAL and Azerpost LLC, timed to coincide with the anniversary of the crash near Aktau. The project honours the fallen and highlights the courage of the crew, whose professional, coordinated, and selfless actions under extreme conditions saved 29 lives.

During the stamp unveiling ceremony, AZAL Vice President Ilham Amirov said the issuance of a postage stamp dedicated to Flight J2-8243 holds significant moral value both nationally and internationally.

Amirov emphasised that while a postage stamp may seem like a small piece of paper, it is in fact a carrier of a nation’s history and culture. “These small symbols, sent from country to country and reaching different recipients, prompt reflection and carry historical meaning. They remain in albums for years and are passed down through generations. In this sense, the release of stamps dedicated to Flight J2-8243 is a highly valuable step that preserves memory eternally,” he stated.

“A commission was established in Kazakhstan, and the investigation is still ongoing. The preliminary report of the commission, established within a year after the incident, was presented at the end of January this year. However, the final report has not yet been completed.”

He stated that the preliminary report already indicated that there had been unlawful physical interference with the aircraft during the flight:

“After decoding the black box, it became clear that three vital aircraft systems had failed simultaneously. This was caused by an external force acting on the aircraft.”

The vice president of AZAL stated that the purpose of the event was to present a postage stamp dedicated to the memory of the passengers and crew members who died on flight J2-8243, noting that the stamp was prepared as a joint initiative between AZAL and Azerpost LLC.

“I worked as a pilot for 40 years. After this incident, I put myself in the shoes of that crew hundreds of times. How did they manage to fly the plane in such a situation? I still can't find the answer to that question. Even aircraft manufacturers are amazed by this. The proceeds from the sale of the postage stamp will go towards education and other needs of the families of the martyrs.”

Amirov noted that this postage stamp is distributed throughout the world and will forever preserve the memory of those who died in the crash.

To recall, on December 25, 2024, Azerbaijan Airlines flight 8243, an Embraer 190AR, tragically crashed near Aktau, Kazakhstan, during an emergency landing attempt. The flight was en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, and carried 67 individuals, including 62 passengers and five crew members. Among the passengers, there were 42 Azerbaijanis, 16 Russians, six Kazakhs, and three Kyrgyz nationals. The crash claimed 38 lives, while 29 survivors, including three crew members, were rescued. Of the five crew members, three tragically lost their lives, and two survived.

By Khagan Isayev