Armenian Passengers Stranded in Baku After Airspace Closures Triggered by Israeli Strikes on Iran

Many Armenian citizens and ethnic Armenians unexpectedly landed at the airport in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, after the airspace over Iran and several nearby countries was closed. At the same time, Azerbaijani citizens landed at Zvartnots Airport in Armenia. This was stated by Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS).

The closure of this key airspace followed Israeli airstrikes on Iran on June 13, which targeted Iranian military positions and killed high-ranking Iranian officers. As a result, flights had to change their routes to avoid flying over Iran and surrounding areas.

The NSS reports that Armenian government agencies are actively working to manage this difficult situation and protect their citizens abroad.

Zvartnots Airport informed The Armenian Report that no aircraft departing from Armenia landed in Baku. Instead, planes carrying Armenians from other countries, like Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan, were forced to divert to Baku on their way to destinations such as Dubai.

The Union of Armenians in Russia expressed deep concern about the safety of Armenians caught in this situation. Ara Abrahamyan, the head of the Union, has appealed to the Russian Foreign Ministry to urgently help protect Armenians stuck on planes that made emergency landings in Baku.

Abrahamyan pointed out the longstanding anti-Armenian attitudes promoted by Azerbaijan’s official policies. He warned about the risks Armenians face in Baku, including possible arrests and mistreatment, which have occurred before and after the 2020 Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) war.

Relatives of Armenian passengers who were headed to Dubai have recently lost contact with them, adding to fears about their safety.

The Union of Armenians in Russia also called on Armenia’s Foreign Ministry to do everything it can to ensure the wellbeing and security of Armenians who were forced to land in Baku against their will.

This situation shows the difficult and tense regional environment that continues to impact Armenians, even far from their homeland. 

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