BUSINESS

Chinese Airlines Skirt Southern Russia After Azerbaijan Plane Crash

Published: Jan. 2, 2025 8:05 p.m. GMT+8

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Some Chinese airlines are rerouting flights to avoid Russia’s southern airspace after an Azerbaijani passenger plane was shot down, reportedly by the Russian military, in the region on Christmas Day.

Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243, en route from Baku to Grozny, the capital city of southern Russian republic of Chechnya, crash-landed near Aktau in Kazakhstan after diverting from southern Russia, where Moscow has repeatedly used air defense systems against Ukrainian drone strikes. Thirty-eight of the 67 people on board died in the crash.

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Chinese airlines are rerouting flights to avoid Russia’s southern airspace after an Azerbaijan Airlines flight was reportedly shot down by Russian military, killing 38 of 67 passengers.
Air China, China Southern Airlines, and others have adjusted routes to bypass risky airspace, generally avoiding Russian territory.
Flight safety challenges have increased due to the Russia-Ukraine war, prompting airlines to ensure safer paths; limited airlines continue operating through Russian airspace.

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Who’s Who

Air China: Air China has rerouted its flights to avoid Russian airspace after an Azerbaijani plane was reportedly shot down by the Russian military. For example, Air China flight CA781, usually entering Georgia via southern Russia, now flies a safer path through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan. Additionally, an Air China flight from Beijing to Athens has altered its course to travel along the border of Azerbaijan and Russia, avoiding Russian airspace.

China Southern Airlines: China Southern Airlines has rerouted several flights to avoid Russian airspace following the Azerbaijan Airlines incident. Flight CZ6039 from Urumqi to Georgia now takes a more southern route via Azerbaijan, and other flights like CZ650 from Budapest to Guangzhou and CZ8065 from Guangzhou to Istanbul also avoid Dagestan airspace.

Hainan Airlines: Hainan Airlines has rerouted its flights to avoid Russian airspace. A flight from Chongqing to Rome is now flying along the border of Azerbaijan and Russia without entering Russian airspace.

China Eastern Airlines: China Eastern Airlines has changed the course of its flights to avoid Russian airspace. Specifically, its flight from Shanghai to Istanbul now flies along the border of Azerbaijan and Russia without entering Russia's airspace. This rerouting comes in response to recent safety concerns following the Christmas Day incident involving an Azerbaijani passenger plane.

Azerbaijan Airlines: Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 was shot down by Russian air defense while en route to Grozny, killing 38 of 67 onboard. Following this, Azerbaijan Airlines suspended its flights from Baku to Grozny and Makhachkala for safety concerns.

Malaysia Airlines: Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down on July 17, 2014, while flying from the Netherlands to Kuala Lumpur near Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board. A Dutch Safety Board investigation concluded the aircraft was downed by a Russian-made missile but didn't determine responsibility.

Qazaq Air: Qazaq Air announced that it would suspend its Astana-Yekaterinburg flights from December 27 until January 27 to ensure passenger and crew safety. The decision to resume these flights will be based on a risk assessment.

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What Happened When

Christmas Day, 2024：: An Azerbaijani passenger plane was shot down, reportedly by the Russian military, in Russia's southern airspace.

After Christmas Day, 2024：: Some Chinese airlines begin rerouting flights to avoid Russia's southern airspace.

December 27, 2024：: Kazakhstan's Qazaq Air announced the suspension of its flights on the Astana-Yekaterinburg route until January 27, 2025.

Sunday, 2024：: Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev stated that the Azerbaijani plane was "shot down by accident" by Russian air defense systems.

December 30, 2024：: China Southern Airlines began rerouting multiple flights, including flight CZ6039 from Urumqi to Georgia taking a more southern route via Azerbaijan.

January 2, 2025：: Air China flight CA781 from Urumqi to Tbilisi flew completely bypassing Russian airspace, following a route through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan.

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