October 19, 2022

Flight Risk


Flight Risk
"Anything you want to tell me?"

On September 30, a Russian Azur-Air airline pilot who had failed to show up for his draft summons was removed from the Ufa-Antalia flight on which he was the co-pilot, as he was forbidden from leaving the country.

The flight had been waiting two hours on the runway for takeoff when a loud announcement came over the PA system: "In connection with the co-pilot's mobilization and consequent ban on crossing borders, take off has been canceled. You are requested to deplane."

According to passengers who boarded the flight with the co-pilot, he had received his summons but had not shown up at the military enlistment office. As a result he was forbidden from crossing the border.

According to RBC, which just broke the story, the pilot who received the summons began flying again a few days later.

The flight ended up taking off 8 hours late, after the arrival of a reserve pilot.

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