The captain of Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) flight J2-8717, operating on the Baku–Mineralnye Vody route, decided to return to the airport without leaving Baku airspace. This decision was made immediately after takeoff upon receiving a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) about the closure of the airspace over Makhachkala, according to information provided by AZAL.
The aircraft safely landed at Heydar Aliyev International Airport at 10:13 local time.
Further updates regarding flights to destinations in Russia will be provided soon.