Transaviaexport suspends flights to Somalia citing war reasons

[Jacaylbaro]

Transaviaexport Airlines has suspended flights to Somalia until the military conflict is settled, BelTA learnt from representatives of the state flight safety and aviation security inspection of the aviation department of the Belarusian transport and communications ministry.

 

According to the source, the flights will be resumed after the security of specialists, who are now staying in Mogadishu, is ensured. “All efforts are made to support the Belarusians and secure a safe flight out of Mogadishu for them soon”, BelTA has been told.

 

The source said, the psychological status of the Belarusian specialists in Mogadishu is stable. The state flight safety and aviation security inspection maintains permanent communication with them by phone.

 

Let us remind you, the IL-76 transport aircraft owned by Transaviaexport Airlines was taking off to take the route Mogadishu-Djibouti, when three land-based missiles were fired upon the aircraft. One of the missiles hit the wing and the IL-76 crashed 8-10 km far from the Mogadishu airport. It carried 11 engineers, who had been engaged in repairing an aircraft shot in Mogadishu on March 9 when it carrying cargoes for the UN peacekeeping mission.

 

The transport and communications ministry has set up a panel chaired by deputy transport minister Nikolai Verkhovets to investigate the reasons of the aircraft catastrophe.

 

The source noted, no final decision what to do with the aircraft equipment fired at on March 9 had been taken.