AZAL plane returns to St. Petersburg airport over technical issue

An Azerbaijan Airlines Airbus A320 operating flight J2-020 from St. Petersburg to Baku returned to Pulkovo airport due to a technical problem with its landing gear, the airline said.

The crew followed all safety procedures, including fuel burn-off before landing, while emergency services at the airport were placed on standby.

The aircraft landed safely at 04:43 Baku time, slightly overrunning the runway, the statement said. All 155 passengers were evacuated without injury.

A replacement aircraft has been dispatched to transport passengers from St. Petersburg to Baku.