Baku Does Not Comment on Statement of Separatists on Imminent Opening of Airport in Khojaly

Baku / 02.12.20 / Turan: The operation of the Stepanakert (Khojaly) airport will be resumed in the near future. This was stated on December 2 by David Babayan, an advisor to the “NKR President” without specifying a specific date.

“It's hard to say ... In the very near future,” RIA Novosti quotes Babayan.

Note that the airport in Khojaly was seized by the Armenians in February 1992, together with the city itself.

The airport was built in 1974 and operated flights to Baku and Yerevan. After the outbreak of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, the airport was under the control of Azerbaijan until its capture.

In the subsequent period, it was not used for passenger transportation. Attempts by Armenians to launch it were harshly suppressed by the Azerbaijani authorities, who threatened to shoot down planes carrying out unauthorized flights.

The November 10 Trilateral Statement says nothing about reopening the airport. Official Baku has not yet commented on this message.

In the current situation, the use of the airport is possible only by the Russian side with the consent of Baku. -02B-