Peruvian Minister: Airline Involved in Fatal Nazca Crash May Continue Operations Pending Investigation

The airline Aerodiana, involved in a tragic tourist flight crash that resulted in 13 fatalities near the Nazca Lines, may continue its operations while investigations into the accident are underway. Peru's Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Rogers Valencia, stated that a suspension of the company's services would require a technical report determining responsibility.

"It is a legal company. As long as there is no report from the Directorate of Aeronautics, I cannot say whether it continues to operate or not," Valencia told reporters. He emphasized that Aerodiana possesses current authorizations to provide its services. The decision to suspend operations cannot be made without a thorough technical assessment of the accident's causes.

The Air Accidents Investigation Commission and the General Directorate of Aeronautics (DGAC) are actively analyzing the aircraft's trajectory, engine condition, and communications with air traffic control to ascertain the cause of the crash. Preliminary information suggests the pilot may have reported a failure during the flight before the aircraft plummeted to the ground. However, the exact timing of the malfunction and any other contributing factors will be determined by the official investigation.

Regarding Aerodiana's history, which includes a previous emergency landing and an earlier accident, Minister Valencia avoided drawing premature conclusions. He reiterated that authorized aircraft undergo certification by the competent authority. The government is also considering potential measures following the tragedy, including a review of air tourism operations in the Nazca region. Coordination is underway with the Italian and German diplomatic missions to provide assistance to the families of the victims.