Shocking Emergency Landings at Heydar Aliyev International Airport: Azerbaijan’s Lifesaving Response to Flights from Russia, Turkey, and Beyond!

Published on December 27, 2025

Azerbaijan’s Heydar Aliyev International Airport is located on the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Its modern facilities and long runway make it one of the main diversion airports for long‑haul flights crossing Eurasia. From January 2022 to December 2025 the airport handled a series of emergency and unplanned landings involving passenger and cargo aircraft from many countries. These landings were necessary because of medical emergencies, technical issues or unfavourable weather at destination airports. The following narrative summarises these events in chronological order and highlights the measures taken by crews, airport staff and authorities to protect lives.

2022: medical diversions and a super‑jumbo emergency

The first recorded emergency landing of the period occurred in September 2022 when a Finnair Airbus A350 operating from Singapore to Helsinki requested an unscheduled stop in Baku. During the night a passenger’s health deteriorated, prompting the captain to seek urgent medical assistance. The aircraft landed safely at 02:31 local time and the airport’s medical team provided immediate care; the passenger was transferred to a hospital and the flight resumed several hours later. Finnair and airport officials emphasised that the diversion was precautionary and followed international aviation protocols.

Heavy fog at Tbilisi International Airport led to another emergency landing on 27 December 2022. Flight FZ‑8637, a FlyDubai Boeing 737 MAX travelling from Dubai to Tbilisi, was unable to land in Georgia and diverted to Baku. Air traffic controllers coordinated with the crew and the aircraft landed at 12:03. Passengers remained on board until conditions improved and the flight departed once Tbilisi’s weather cleared. The airport’s press service later explained that Baku is designated as an alternate airport for regional flights because of its advanced navigation facilities and long runway.

The final and most dramatic emergency of 2022 involved a Qantas Airbus A380. On 23 December 2022 a smoke sensor alarm in the cargo hold of the super‑jumbo triggered an emergency diversion for flight QF1 operating from Singapore to London. The crew followed safety checklists and declared an emergency; Baku’s emergency services prepared for a possible fire. The A380 landed safely at 07:08 with 356 passengers and 14 crew. After inspections confirmed no fire, Qantas dispatched another A380 to carry passengers onward to London. Airport officials noted that Baku is one of the few regional airports capable of handling the A380 and that their ability to accommodate the aircraft and rapidly mobilise emergency services demonstrated a high level of preparedness.

2023: multiple medical emergencies and technical issues

In early March 2023 two long‑haul aircraft made unscheduled stops in Baku due to sudden illness among passengers. On the night of 2 March, an EVA Air Boeing 787‑9 flying from Bangkok to Amsterdam requested an emergency landing after a passenger became critically ill. Airport medics boarded the aircraft, provided treatment and transferred the passenger to a hospital while the flight continued to Amsterdam later that morning. Twelve hours later, on 3 March, a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787‑9 travelling from London to Islamabad diverted for similar reasons. The aircraft landed at 07:37, the passenger received medical assistance and the flight departed after a short delay. In both cases, airport statements emphasised that immediate coordination between crews, air traffic control and medical teams is essential when dealing with in‑flight medical crises.

Two other medical diversions occurred in May and September. On 28 May 2023 a British Airways Boeing 787 en route from London to Hong Kong landed in Baku at 05:09 because a passenger’s health deteriorated. The passenger was treated at a local clinic and the flight resumed at 07:37. On 3 September, an EVA Air flight from Taipei to Milan diverted when a passenger suffered a heart attack. The Boeing 787‑9 landed at 05:15; medical staff stabilised the passenger and the flight continued after a delay.

Not all 2023 diversions were due to health problems. On 22 October 2023 an Air Canada Boeing 777 travelling from Toronto to Delhi diverted to Baku when sensors indicated low oil pressure in its left engine. The plane landed at 15:58 with 301 passengers and 16 crew on board. Airport engineers inspected the aircraft and determined that it could not continue safely until repairs were made; Air Canada arranged onward travel for passengers while the aircraft was serviced. Later in the year, on 22 December, a Turkish Airlines Airbus A330 flying from Lahore to Istanbul landed at 11:04 after a passenger developed a serious heart problem. Medical teams treated the passenger and the flight continued to Istanbul at 13:21.

2024: a tragic accident

The following year saw a tragic incident outside Azerbaijan’s borders. On 25 December 2024, Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243, an Embraer 190 carrying 62 passengers and five crew, was operating a domestic flight from Baku to the Russian city of Makhachkala. Adverse weather and combat operations in the region forced the crew to seek an alternate landing at Aktau, Kazakhstan. According to officials from Kazakhstan’s emergency services and Azerbaijan’s authorities, the crew declared an emergency and requested clearance to land. While on final approach the aircraft crashed near the airport, killing at least 38 people. Emergency response teams from Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations rescued 29 survivors and launched a joint investigation with Azerbaijani and Russian representatives. The accident prompted renewed discussion on flight safety in conflict zones and the importance of secure air corridors.

2025: frequent diversions and effective response

In January 2025 an Aeroflot Boeing 737‑800 flying from Moscow to Dubai diverted to Baku due to a sudden medical emergency. The aircraft landed at 06:27 and airport medical personnel stabilised the passenger. Airport management highlighted that regular emergency drills and coordination with international carriers enable them to handle such situations without disrupting other operations.

With summer approaching, flights again turned to Baku for assistance. On 27 May 2025 a Turkish Airlines Boeing 737 bound for Tbilisi encountered severe weather over Georgia. Air traffic control arranged a diversion and the aircraft landed at 21:06. Passengers waited at the airport until the storm cleared; the flight later continued to Tbilisi. Less than two weeks later, on 9 June, a Qantas Airbus A380 flying from London to Singapore made an emergency landing after a passenger fell ill. The aircraft landed at 07:55; the passenger was treated and the flight departed after a brief stop. Qantas thanked the airport for its quick response and emphasised that Baku’s infrastructure makes it a suitable alternate for A380 operations.

September saw three separate incidents. On 4 September, a Centrum Air Airbus A321 operating from Istanbul to Samarkand diverted to Baku due to a medical emergency. The aircraft landed at 08:29; medical teams transferred the passenger to a hospital. On 22 September, an Ajet flight from Ankara to Baku activated an alarm signal while in flight. The crew followed standard procedures and requested an emergency landing. The aircraft landed at 15:55, and after inspection the alarm was deemed false. Airport officials noted that such precautionary landings are necessary whenever cockpit instruments indicate a possible safety risk. On 17 October another medical diversion occurred when an Uzbekistan Airways Airbus A320 flying from Istanbul to Urgench requested an unscheduled stop. The aircraft landed at 17:26; a passenger received first aid and the flight continued once cleared.

Medical emergencies continued into the final months of the year. A Finnair Airbus A350 travelling from Bangkok to Helsinki made an emergency landing on 19 November after a passenger became unwell; the aircraft landed at 19:44. Medical workers provided first aid and the plane resumed its journey after a short stay. Less than a month later, on 5 December, a FlyDubai Boeing 737 flying from Moscow to Dubai diverted to Baku when a passenger fell seriously ill. The flight landed at 05:30, the passenger received medical assistance and the aircraft departed once doctors cleared the patient to fly.

The year ended with a pair of diversions on 23 December 2025. Early that morning a Finnair Airbus A350 operating the Helsinki–Phuket route diverted to Baku because of a passenger’s health problem. The aircraft landed at 00:54; medical teams assisted the passenger and the flight departed at 02:59. Several hours later a Cargolux Boeing 747 freighter flying from Zhengzhou to Ashgabat requested an emergency landing due to bad weather at its destination. The jumbo jet landed at 08:32 and waited until conditions improved before continuing its journey. Baku’s press service noted that handling two emergency landings in one day underscores the airport’s readiness and the professionalism of its staff.

Conclusion

Between January 2022 and December 2025, Azerbaijan’s main airport handled numerous emergency and unscheduled landings arising from medical emergencies, technical faults, severe weather and, tragically, a crash in neighbouring Kazakhstan. In every case except the 2024 accident, the coordinated efforts of pilots, air traffic controllers, medical teams and airport staff ensured safe outcomes for passengers and crews. These events demonstrate not only the importance of diversion airports in global aviation but also the value of rigorous training, clear communication and international cooperation. Baku’s experience over these four years highlights how preparedness and infrastructure investments can save lives when unforeseen circumstances arise.

References

1. Trend.az reports on Finnair’s September 2022 medical diversion and subsequent departure[1][2].
2. Caliber.az and Report.az articles detail the December 2022 FlyDubai diversion due to fog[3][4].
3. Report.az, Trend.az and Caliber.az describe the Qantas A380 emergency landing on 23 December 2022, including the smoke sensor alarm and the follow‑up aircraft[5][6][7].
4. Trend.az and Caliber.az narrate the EVA Air and Virgin Atlantic medical diversions in March 2023[8][9][10].
5. Caliber.az and Azernews documents cover the British Airways (May 2023) and EVA Air (September 2023) emergency landings due to passenger health problems[11][12].
6. Azernews reports on the Air Canada emergency landing in October 2023 caused by low oil pressure[13].
7. Xalqqazeti details the Turkish Airlines Lahore–Istanbul diversion on 22 December 2023[14].
8. Al Jazeera’s account of the 25 December 2024 crash of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 includes comments from officials on the emergency landing attempt and casualties[15][16].
9. Caliber.az, News.az and APA sources recount the Aeroflot medical diversion on 20 January 2025[17][18][19][20].
10. News.az reports on the Turkish Airlines diversion to Baku due to weather on 27 May 2025[21].
11. News.az covers the Qantas A380 diversion on 9 June 2025 for a medical emergency[22].
12. News.az and Baku.ws articles describe the Centrum Air and Ajet incidents in September 2025[23][24][25].
13. APA reports detail the Uzbekistan Airways diversion on 17 October 2025[26].
14. Trend.az and News.az accounts describe Finnair and FlyDubai medical diversions in late 2025[27][28].
15. Trend.az summarises the dual Finnair and Cargolux diversions on 23 December 2025[29].