Two A400M military transport planes belonging to the Turkish Air Force Command, which departed from Eskişehir on 24th February to deliver humanitarian aid to Ukraine and evacuate Turkish citizens in Ukraine, finally returned to Türkiye.

The planes that landed in Ukraine on 24th February were stranded in Ukraine after the bombardment began at the airport. After the bombing, Ukrainian airspace was closed to flights and air traffic services were suspended. Minister of National Defence Hulusi Akar said: “The war started on February 24 at 4.30 am. Our planes landed on the night of 23rd February. Our planes went there as part of humanitarian aid.  While our planes were taxiing, the airspace was closed and they stayed there. There may be a provocation of uncontrollable groups. Planes will come at the first opportunity.” 

Months later, the good news came from the Minister of National Defence (MoD). In a post on its social media account, MoD said: “Our 2 A400M aircraft, which went to Ukraine to deliver humanitarian aid and evacuate our citizens, and remained at Borispol airport due to the closure of the airspace, have started to arrive in Kayseri, their home base.”

Two A400M military transport aircraft, which took off from Ukraine Tuesday evening, were safely deployed at their home base in Kayseri.