The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called for a comprehensive, impartial, and transparent investigation into the tragic crash of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 on December 25, 2024.
This investigation must adhere to the provisions of Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention, which mandates the publication of a preliminary report within 30 days of the accident, IATA said.
“Our deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of those who have perished. Out of respect for the 38 people who lost their lives and to those who survived, we must find out why this catastrophe happened and take action to ensure there is never a repeat,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
IATA’s call follows statements from the governments of Russia and Azerbaijan, confirming that the tragic incident occurred in Russian airspace near military operations.
“Civil aircraft must never be the intended or accidental target of military operations. The strong possibility that Azerbaijan Airlines flight 8243 could have been the victim of military operations, as indicated by several governments including Russia and Azerbaijan, places the highest priority on conducting a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation.”
“The world eagerly awaits the required publication of the preliminary report within 30 days, in line with international obligations agreed in the Chicago Convention. And should the conclusion be that this tragedy was the responsibility of combatants, the perpetrators must be held accountable and brought to justice,” said Walsh.
In October 2024, amid escalating global conflicts, IATA reminded the UN Security Council that states have explicit obligations to keep aviation and its critical infrastructure safe even in times of conflict.
State obligations include Article 48 of the Protocol to the Geneva Conventions, which holds that combatants in conflict must not target civilian objects, and the Chicago Convention, which explicitly obliges states to protect civil aircraft and passengers in flight, refrain from the use of force against civil aircraft and coordinate and communicate any activities potentially hazardous to civil aviation.
To advance these imperatives, IATA strongly supports the work of the Safe Skies Consultative Committee to reduce the risk of conflict zones through enhanced information-sharing standards for operator risk assessments and conflict zone guidance for both states and operators.
