NEW DELHI (Kashmir English): Turkiye has denied airspace clearance to the An-124 transport aircraft carrying 3 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters bound for India, forcing the flight to turn back to the US.
According to Kashmir Media Service, on November 1, a heavy-lift cargo aircraft, Antonov AN-124 (serial number UR-82008), took off from Mesa Gateway Airport, also known as Phoenix–Mesa Airport, in Arizona, carrying the second tranche of three Apache helicopters for the Indian Army.
The Antonov aircraft landed at East Midlands Airport in England, where it had stopped for refueling.
No landing in India
However, it remained on the ground for eight days and then on November 8, it flew back to Mesa Gateway Airport rather than to India.
The three helicopters were unloaded at the American airbase and the Antonov aircraft flew out, the KMS reported.
