Latest news with #EmbraerE190
JAMnews
02-07-2025
- Politics
- JAMnews
Baku opened a criminal case against Moscow over killings of Azerbaijanis; separately, evidence shows Russia shot down Azerbaijani plane
Criminal case from Baku against Moscow Relations between Azerbaijan and Russia have entered the most tense phase in recent years. The killing of two Azerbaijanis by Russian special forces in Yekaterinburg and the brutal violence against several others have sparked not only a diplomatic but also a legal confrontation between the two countries. Against this backdrop, on the evening of July 1, new accusations against Russia were published in an Azerbaijani state media outlet regarding the tragedy of December 25, 2024, when an AZAL-owned Embraer E190 aircraft was shot down over Chechnya by Russian air defenses. Although the causes of the incident were never fully disclosed officially at the time, the event heightened security concerns in Azerbaijan-Russia relations. Now media outlets are circulating materials allegedly containing instructions from the Russian Ministry of Defense to attack the plane, fueling speculation that the incident may not have been accidental but part of a broader strategy. The death of the brothers and the criminal case: accusations from official Baku On June 27, in Yekaterinburg, during a raid conducted by Russian law enforcement, Azerbaijani brothers Ziyaddin and Huseyn Safarov were detained. Both died during the police detention. The General Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan stated that the brothers were 'killed as a result of torture and extreme brutality' A criminal case against Russian security agencies – the FSB, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the National Guard – has been opened under several serious articles of the criminal code. According to the statement from the Prosecutor's Office, 'the victims were in a completely defenseless state. They were subjected to numerous severe blows — both on the way and at the police station.' Official forensic results also support this version of events. Forensic examination: 'bilateral rib fractures, brain hemorrhage' According to Adalat Hasanov, Director General of the Association of Forensic Medical Examination and Pathological Anatomy at the Ministry of Health, Huseyn Safarov's body showed displaced bone fractures, chest deformation, bruising around the eyes and lips, as well as abrasions and injuries in the scrotal and thigh areas. Internal examination revealed 'intracranial hemorrhages, bilateral and multiple rib fractures, lung ruptures, and bilateral hemopneumothorax.' Adalat Hasanov stated: 'The cause of death was post-traumatic and post-hemorrhagic shock.' Ambassador summoned, protest note sparks controversy On July 1, the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Russian Federation, Rakhman Mustafayev, was summoned to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he was handed an oral note. In response, Baku delivered its own note of protest to Russia during the meeting. According to Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada, 'the protest note expresses strong objection to the torture and degrading treatment inflicted on our compatriots during interrogations by Russian law enforcement agencies.' Hajizada added that the actions of the Russian security forces violate both Russian legislation and international law and reflect ethnic intolerance toward Azerbaijanis. Countermeasures: operation at Sputnik office, cancellation of cultural events On the day of the operation at the Sputnik Azerbaijan office | photo: APA Amid the unfolding events, Azerbaijan conducted a search at the Baku office of the Russia Today – at the Sputnik Azerbaijan office, and declared its activities illegal. Here is the English translation: Editor-in-chief Igor Kartavykh and managing editor Evgeny Belousov have been detained. Despite protests from Russia, Azerbaijan stated that the office's actions violated the law, and a criminal case has been opened. In addition, Azerbaijan canceled all cultural events planned in the country that were related to Russia or Russian performers and artists. Mikhail Shvydkoy, the special representative of the Russian president for cultural affairs, called this step 'a decision that impoverishes Azerbaijan's cultural landscape.' The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry described his statement as 'biased and misrepresenting the facts': 'We do not believe that concerts by Russian performers like Basta enrich the cultural landscape of our country.' Statements on the closure of Russian-language schools Amid the events in Yekaterinburg, public discussions about the presence of the Russian language in Azerbaijan have once again intensified. According to information circulated by and other pro-government media, unofficial notices allegedly announcing the gradual closure of Russian-language schools have appeared in some school parents' WhatsApp groups. According to these messages, the aim of the proposed initiative is to strengthen the position of the Azerbaijani language as the primary language of education and to ensure the integration of all citizens into a unified educational environment. These rumors have sparked public reaction, especially against the backdrop of increasing discrimination against Azerbaijanis living in Russia. Leaked information suggests a phased implementation of the reform, the organization of professional development programs for teachers, and a full transition to Azerbaijani as the language of instruction. An official inquiry has been sent to the Ministry of Science and Education, but so far, there has been neither confirmation nor denial. At the same time, some public platforms emphasize that this is not an ideological but a cultural and practical measure, which should be implemented through 'gradual adaptation' rather than pressure. Similar claims have been made before but were not confirmed in practice. However, amid the current tensions, the future of Russian-language education in Azerbaijan may be at risk. Statements from the Kremlin: 'Azerbaijan's reaction is excessively emotional' Commenting on the situation, the Kremlin accused Azerbaijan of excessive emotionality. Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said: 'The reaction from Baku is emotional. The detention of Russian journalists does not correspond to the spirit of bilateral relations. We hope this issue will be resolved.' Political аnalyst: 'Russia is deliberately еscalating relations' Elkhan Shahinoglu, photo by Meydan TV Political analyst Elkhan Shahinoglu views the current developments as a continuation of the predicted tension in relations between Azerbaijan and Russia: 'In December, our plane was shot down, and our people were killed. No one apologized, no compensation was paid. And now – torture and killings. Moreover, Kremlin media are spreading false information, claiming that the brothers were criminal authorities.' Shahinoglu adds that Russia's pressure mechanisms on Azerbaijan – deportation of migrants, embargoes on agricultural products – have become relevant again. However, in his view, such policies could ultimately harm Russia's own interests: 'In light of these events, we must undoubtedly strengthen our alliance with Turkey. The Turkish military base in Azerbaijan is necessary so that, in case of pressure from Iran or Russia, they see the Turkey-Azerbaijan alliance standing before them.' New theories about the downed plane This concerns the incident that took place last December when an AZAL Embraer E190 aircraft was shot down over Chechen territory. New claims regarding this incident have emerged. An anonymous letter received by contains information that the plane was shot down on the orders of the Russian Ministry of Defense. Audio recordings of the air defense captain who gave the order, along with radar data, are attached: Captain Dmitry Sergeyevich Paladichuk explained: 'At 08:13, I received a phone order to destroy the target… At 08:13:33, a missile was launched… At 08:13:48, an order was given to open fire again.' The editorial team notes that, although the authenticity of the letter has not been fully confirmed, the presence of three voice messages should be taken seriously and submitted for investigation: 'These materials may be useful to the authorized bodies of Azerbaijan investigating the circumstances of the tragedy.' If this information is confirmed, the incident could be seen not only as a diplomatic crisis in Azerbaijan-Russia relations but also as an overt military provocation. In conclusion This situation represents not only a violation of human rights but also a significant geopolitical signal. For the first time, Azerbaijan has officially opened a criminal case against the security agencies of the Russian Federation. This is an open challenge to the Kremlin's dominant position in the South Caucasus. The main question now is: how will Russia respond to these accusations? Whether it responds with words or silence, the confrontation may move beyond legal grounds into the diplomatic arena and potentially escalate into a broader regional conflict. This time, the question is not only 'who is to blame?' but 'who will be held accountable?' News from Azerbaijan
Time Out
05-05-2025
- Business
- Time Out
The new Western Sydney Airport will need regulations eased to make it a global gateway – here's an update
Sydney's transport systems are getting upgraded, and we're not just talking about the ones on and under ground. Western Sydney International (WSI) airport is set to open in late 2026, promising a state-of-the-art $5.3 billion aviation hub with 24/7 operations – yes, no curfews like the ones Kingsford-Smith has in place. As construction progresses in Badgerys Creek and the Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport project remains on track to open by 2027, a key question remains: can WSI attract enough international airlines to make it a global gateway? Intrigued? We got a sneak peek at the huge new airport. Despite its round-the-clock operations, WSI faces a significant regulatory hurdle – because it shares the same 'primary gateway' classification as Sydney's existing Kingsford-Smith airport, international airlines that have already hit their cap on Sydney flights aren't permitted to land at WSI. In contrast, secondary airports like Adelaide and Darwin aren't subject to these limits – a fact that's frustrating international carriers like Qatar Airways that have called for reform. Internationally, only Singapore Airlines has committed to services from WSI and this won't be enough to establish it as a global player. Airlines like Vietnam Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Turkish Airlines are all rumoured to be considering WSI since its catchment area aligns well with their core markets – with Western Sydney's growing multicultural population a key draw for a lot of international carriers. Gulf carriers such as Emirates and Qatar Airways could also benefit from the airport's round-the-clock operations, enabling smoother onward connections to Europe and the UK. On the domestic front, Qantas has confirmed it will start off with its QantasLink Embraer E190 regional jets, while its budget carrier Jetstar will operate 10 single-aisle aircraft from its Airbus A320 fleet. While specific routes haven't been announced yet, services to cities like Melbourne and Brisbane are likely. Translation? Western Sydney residents could save up to two hours on a same-day return trip, making it possible to be home in time for dinner with the family. Encouragingly, the federal government has promised a review of WSI's regulatory status a year after it opens, giving hope for more flexible rules in the future. However, many in the aviation industry believe that's too little too late. Without effective policy changes and better public transport connectivity, WSI risks falling short of its international ambitions. As anticipation builds, the pressure is on for WSI not just to open on time, but to convince international airlines that it's worth the journey.
The Independent
10-02-2025
- The Independent
Is it still safe to fly? What you need to know after Alaska and Washington DC plane incidents
Nine passengers and a pilot are missing after Bering Air flight 445 vanished in the rural western region of Nome in Alaska. The missing plane marks the third major air incident involving US personnel in 10 days. in Washington DC took the lives of 67 people on Wednesday 29 January. Two days later, a medical jet crashed in Northeast Philadelphia, killing seven people, including all six passengers on board. These calamities follow two aviation tragedies within four days that killed more than 200 passengers and crew. The Christmas Day crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer E190 was followed by the loss four days later of a Jeju Air Boeing 737. But these awful events should be set against a trend of ever-safer skies. Decade after decade, aviation is becoming safer. No scheduled passenger jets were involved in fatal crashes during 2023. Only two fatal accidents happened in that year, both involving propeller aircraft on domestic flights, with 86 people losing their lives. All the dramatic aviation events of 2024 and 2025 – fatal and otherwise – will be analysed minutely to understand what can be learnt to enhance future safety. The UK is uniquely placed for passenger safety. The world's two safest airines in the world, in terms of passengers carried without a fatal accident, are Ryanair and easyJet – who both have their main bases in Britain. Meanwhile, the pilot community are looking with concern at the Azerbaijan Airlines tragedy, in which 28 people died. A preliminary report concluded the jet was hit by shrapnel from an air defence system as it tried to land in Chechnya in southern Russia. A source told Reuters that preliminary results indicated that the plane had been struck by a Russian Pantsir-S air defence system. 'No one claims that it was done on purpose. However, taking into account the established facts, Baku expects the Russian side to confess to the shooting down of the Azerbaijani aircraft,' the source said. As the rate of accidents due to human factors and mechanical failure slows, the dangers of flying in conflict zones may be rising.
The Independent
07-02-2025
- The Independent
Is it still safe to fly? What you need to know after Alaska and Washington DC plane crashes
Nine passengers and a pilot are missing after Bering Air flight 445 vanished in the rural western region of Nome in Alaska. The missing plane marks the third major air incident involving US personnel in 10 days. in Washington DC took the lives of 67 passengers on Wednesday 29 January. Two days later, a medical jet crashed in Northeast Philadelphia, killing seven people, including all six passengers on board. These calamities follow two aviation tragedies within four days that killed more than 200 passengers and crew. The Christmas Day crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer E190 was followed by the loss four days later of a Jeju Air Boeing 737. But these awful events should be set against a trend of ever-safer skies. Decade after decade, aviation is becoming safer. No scheduled passenger jets were involved in fatal crashes during 2023. Only two fatal accidents happened in that year, both involving propeller aircraft on domestic flights, with 86 people losing their lives. All the dramatic aviation events of 2024 and 2025 – fatal and otherwise – will be analysed minutely to understand what can be learnt to enhance future safety. The UK is uniquely placed for passenger safety. The world's two safest airines in the world, in terms of passengers carried without a fatal accident, are Ryanair and easyJet – who both have their main bases in Britain. Meanwhile, the pilot community are looking with concern at the Azerbaijan Airlines tragedy, in which 28 people died. The working assumption is that the jet was hit by shrapnel from an air defence system as it tried to land in Chechnya in southern Russia. As the rate of accidents due to human factors and mechanical failure slows, the dangers of flying in conflict zones may be rising.
