Azerbaijan's State Civil Aviation Administration (SCAA) will stop 'illegal' flights from Stepanakert/Khojaly airport, located in the contested area of Nagorno-Karabakh, reports Trend. The region is currently occupied by Armenian forces, although it falls within the internationally recognised borders of Azerbaijan.
"Khojaly airport is recognized as the property of the Republic of Azerbaijan by the International Civil Aviation Organization," a source told Trend. "Since it is impossible to ensure the safety of its airspace, Azerbaijan has banned flights over the occupied territories. Azerbaijan's position is supported by the International Civil Aviation Organization and the European Civil Aviation Conference."
The clampdown comes after Armenian adventure sports provider Yell Extreme Park launched 30 minute Stepanakert-Shushi tourist flights. According to its Facebook page, at least one flight was provided on May 28.
A spokesperson for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, Hikmat Hajiyev, has appealed to the OSCE Minsk Group, which negotiated the Nagorno-Karabakh peace resolution, to "prevent another Armenian provocation".
"Such actions seriously damage the negotiation process and deliberately serve to escalate the conflict," Hajiyev said.
