China steps up flight safety in wake of deadly Azerbaijani and South Korean plane crashes

Aviation authority urges measures to avoid bird strikes and assess risks in response to Jeju Air and Azerbaijan Airlines disasters

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Azerbaijani authorities suspect the Russian air defence system was responsible for the Azerbaijan Airlines crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan on December 25. Photo: TNS

Published: 5:13pm, 3 Jan 2025

China’s civil aviation authority said it is improving runway safety and assessing risks in the wake of the deadly Azerbaijan Airlines and Jeju Air plane crashes.

Following the two accidents late last month, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) “immediately convened a special meeting to circulate information about the accidents and monitor the investigations”, CAAC safety director Shu Mingjiang said on Friday.

Shu added that the CAAC regularly assessed security risks for all flights, filed security reminders to airlines and adjusted flight routes and plans to ensure aviation safety.

Chinese authorities have confirmed there were no Chinese nationals on either flight and expressed condolences to the victims.

Since the Azerbaijan Airlines crash on December 25, several Chinese airline routes that previously flew across the southwestern portion of Russia’s airspace appear to be circumventing the area, as Azerbaijani authorities suspect the Russian air defence system was behind the tragedy.

The Azerbaijan Airlines jet crashed after being damaged in the airspace above Grozny in southwestern Russia. The plane attempted to land at Aktau International Airport in Kazakhstan but failed, killing 38 of the 67 people on board.

Early reports said the crash was caused by a bird strike, but it was later speculated that Russian air defence missile blasts hit the plane and electronic warfare systems paralysed it.