Azernews.Az

Azerbaijan did not authorize use of its airspace by NATO surveillance aircraft en route from an air base in Europe to Afghanistan, the Baku-based APA news agency quoted a government source as saying.

NATO recently asked Georgia and Azerbaijan for authorization to use the two South Caucasus republics’ airspace for the flights of its aircraft, which are equipped with the Airborne Warning And Control Systems (AWACS). Tbilisi formally granted the permission, while Baku declined the request, the report said.

"Azerbaijan has authorized use of its airspace by planes carrying cargo [for the NATO-led international coalition] to Afghanistan. But since AWACS planes are military surveillance planes, [granting such] permission is impossible," the source said.