The Crashed An-72 Aircraft Is Not of Armenian Belonging, Says Prime Minister's Advisor

Prime Minister's advisor Hakob Chagharyan wrote on his Facebook page: "Yesterday, an An-72 aircraft (factory number 36572020385) crashed in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The aircraft was operated by the DRC Air Force and bore the registration number A-72903. During a flight from Goma to Kinshasa, it was transporting the president's car. Since the aircraft was operated in a company registered in Armenia, 'South Airlines,' until 2016, many mistakenly continue to attribute Armenian ownership to this aircraft.

I inform you that the aircraft with registration EK-72903 has been removed from the Armenian civil aircraft registry since 2016. The airline 'South Airlines' ceased its operations back in 2017. The crashed aircraft bore the registration numbers of the DRC Air Force A-72903. No citizen of the Republic of Armenia was on board the crew.

After deregistration, an investigation into the illegitimate use of Armenian registration by the same owner of the aircraft began prior to this crash, and appropriate measures are being taken. I believe this information is sufficient to stop the speculations around this topic."