Israel’s national airline, El Al, has temporarily suspended flights to Moscow following the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane in Kazakhstan. The decision by the national carrier comes amid “developments in Russia’s airspace” according to Israeli media.
The concern arises from recent reports that the Azerbaijani aircraft may have been shot down by Russian air defenses.
El Al cited concerns about safety in Russian airspace as the reason for the suspension. The airline said it would reassess the situation and decide whether to resume flights next week.
Passengers booked on canceled flights will be notified of the developments and offered alternative arrangements.
Concerns over Russian Air Defences
The Azerbaijan Airlines plane, an Embraer 190, crashed on Wednesday, 26 December 2024, while en route from Baku to Grozny.
38 people were killed in the crash. Some now reports suggest that the plane was shot down by Russian air defenses near Grozny, where drones had been shot down previously.
Azerbaijani media cited sources close to the preliminary results of the investigation into the incident. They claimed that the plane was attacked by a Pantsir missile system as it approached the city of Grozny.
El Al’s decision to suspend flights to Moscow highlights the risks of flying in Russian airspace. The airspace is increasingly congested and complex, with a large number of military and civilian aircraft operating in close proximity.
This clearly has the potential lead to increased risks of accidents, particularly in the event of a conflict or other emergency.
Summary
In addition to the risks of accidents, there are also concerns about the safety of passengers flying in Russian airspace. Russia has a poor record on aviation safety, with a number of fatal accidents in recent years. This is due in part to the country’s aging aircraft fleet and its lax safety regulations.
El Al is the national flag carrier of Israel, headquartered in the Central District of Israel. Founded in 1948, just weeks after the establishment of the State of Israel, El Al has played a significant role in the country’s history and development.
El Al is renowned for its stringent security measures, both on the ground and in the air. This reputation stems from Israel’s unique security challenges and the airline’s proactive approach to counterterrorism.
El Al’s decision to suspend flights to Moscow is a precautionary measure. The airline says it will continue to monitor the situation in Russian airspace and make adjustments as needed.
Click the banner to subscribe to our weekly newsleter.
Click the photo to join our WhatsApp channel so then you can stay up to date with everything going on in the aviation industry!
