Who has received compensation after AZAL plane crash? Kazakhstan’s deputy PM responds

Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev has commented on compensation payments to victims and families of those killed in the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) aircraft near Aktau.

The tragedy occurred on December 25, 2024. According to the airline, there were 62 passengers and five crew members on board. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations reported that 29 people survived.

“Of the six deceased, some heirs — direct relatives — have received all payments. Some cases, unfortunately, are in court because they are still determining who should receive the compensation. In one family, it has not yet been established who is entitled to receive it. Insurance companies, both Azerbaijani and Russian, are ready to make payments once court decisions are issued. I believe they will receive everything equally, all passengers, regardless of citizenship,” the deputy prime minister said.

He also noted that Kazakhstan maintains close coordination with Azerbaijani counterparts. “Two weeks ago, we spoke for various reasons, including this issue. We are monitoring the situation, and we will do everything possible to ensure there is no discrimination in payments for citizens of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and other countries. There are legal complexities related to determining who should receive the compensation,” he added.

On April 15, a joint statement by the foreign ministries of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan said that the parties had reached an appropriate settlement of the consequences of the crash, including compensation, linked to an unintentional action of an air defence system in the airspace of the Russian Federation.

By Jeyhun Aghazada