Azerbaijani president awards crew members for bravery in AZAL plane crash

President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree honouring the bravery and professionalism of the crew members involved in the aftermath of the tragic crash of an Embraer 190 passenger aircraft, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), during its Baku–Grozny (Russia) flight.

The presidential decree, published on the official website of the President of Azerbaijan, posthumously awards the title of National Hero to Igor Kshnyakin, Alexander Kalyaninov, and Hokuma Aliyeva for their courageous actions during the emergency, Caliber.Az reports.

In addition, two surviving crew members, Zulfugar Asadov and Aydan Rahimli, have been awarded the prestigious 1st Degree Rashadat Order for their exceptional professionalism and invaluable contributions in managing the crisis.

On December 25, 2024, an Embraer 190 passenger aircraft, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), was en route from Baku to Grozny, Russia, when it suffered a catastrophic failure. The flight, carrying 67 individuals, including 37 Azerbaijanis, 16 Russians, 6 Kazakhs, and 3 Kyrgyz nationals, encountered severe technical and physical interference while in Russian airspace, leading to the loss of control. The crew, under extreme pressure, successfully diverted the aircraft toward Aktau, Kazakhstan.

Despite the dire circumstances, the swift and heroic actions of the flight crew, including the pilots and flight attendants, played a crucial role in mitigating further loss of life and minimizing the disaster’s impact. Tragically, 38 people lost their lives in the crash, but thanks to the quick response and professionalism of the crew, 29 survivors were rescued.