TURKMENISTAN – Following the weekend drone attacks on the Russian capital, Turkmenistan national carrier Turkmenistan Airlines has suspended flight operations from Ashgabat to Moscow due to what it describes as the “air situation in the Moscow air zone”, according to an official statement on its website.
Moscow Flight Suspensions
Effective from August 1, Turkmenistan and airlines suspended its flight operations to Moscow following a drone attack on the Russian capital over the weekend.
The Turkmen airline stated that its decision to cancel flights to Moscow was brought about “by the air situation in the Moscow air zone, as well as based on a risk assessment in order to ensure flight safety.”
“Dear passengers, we would like to inform you that due to the air situation in the Moscow air zone, as well as based on a risk assessment in order to ensure flight safety, starting from 01.08.2023.”
“All flights of Turkmenistan Airlines OJSC operating flights on the Ashgabat-Moscow-Ashgabat route will be suspended and will be operated on the Ashgabat-Kazan-Ashgabat route,” the airline stated.
The change of route services means that flights will operate into Kazan, the capital of Russia’s Tatarstan region, which is approximately 800 kilometers to the east.
Drone Attack on Central Moscow
The flight cancellation decision follows a drone attack on central Moscow last Sunday, July 30, which saw the temporary closure of Moscow airspace and the activation of Russian air defences.
The building in central Moscow housing several government departments was struck and damaged by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which the Russian Ministry of Defence claimed had crashed after it was suppressed by electronic countermeasures.
Another UAV was reportedly destroyed by air to air systems over Moscow at the same time, resulting in the temporary closure of Vnukovo International airport to commercial traffic.
During the aerial incidents several inbound flights were required to initiate holding procedures, with some diverting to alternate airports.
Turkmenistan Airlines
Turkmenistan Airlines is the flag carrier and only airline of Turkmenistan, headquartered in Ashgabat. It operates domestic and international passenger and cargo services mainly from its hub at Ashgabat International Airport.
The airline was founded in 1992 and initially operated a fleet of Soviet-era aircraft. In recent years, it has modernised its fleet with the acquisition of Boeing 717, 737, 757, and 777 aircraft.
The airline flies to a network of 11 destinations, including 5 domestic destinations and 6 international destinations in 4 countries. The airline also operates dedicated cargo flights.
In 2019, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) suspended Turkmenistan Airlines’ permission to fly in the EU. This forced the airline to terminate its routes to the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.
The suspension was lifted in 2021, and Turkmenistan Airlines has since resumed flights to the EU. However, the airline’s operations are still subject to restrictions.
Turkmenistan Airlines is a relatively small airline, but it plays an important role in the transportation of passengers and cargo in Turkmenistan. The airline is also a major source of employment in the country.