Aviation
Commercial /
Europe
Arbitrariness in Belarus
Ryanair flight diversion causes companies to change their routes
Boeing 737 da Ryanair
Domínio Público
Rafael Ramos
5/24/2021
On Sunday, May 23, Ryanair's Boeing 737, under registration SP-RSM, was flying FR4978, departing from Athens, Greece, bound for Vilnius, Lithuania. The Boeing was flying over the territory of Belarus and was approaching the border with Lithuania, when, suddenly, it changed its course to the east, towards Minsk, capital of the country, where it landed.
The information that circulated at the beginning was that the aircraft was under the threat of a bomb, so the authorities sent a MiG-29 fighter to intercept the Boeing and demanded that it land. The subject was much talked about, until the possible real reason for landing the plane was discovered: the diversion was made for political reasons, for the arrest of the Belarusian journalist, founder and editor-in-chief of Nexta, who was very active during the recent protests in Belarus, after the re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko.
Reprodução/Twitter
Today, the 24th, organizations such as ICAO and IATA and governments like the United States have taken a stand against political interference on the flight. Belarus, on the other hand, claims that the arrest was just a coincidence after the hijacking of the plane, which would not have been forced.
Several airlines, in view of what happened, chose not to fly over the country. Radar sites show flights around the country's border, such as Austrian Airlines. Other companies, such as AirBaltic, have even issued an official statement saying that they have decided to avoid entering Belarus airspace until the situation becomes clear or a decision is issued by authorities. The European Union Aviation Security Agency (EASA), recommended that airlines be careful when flying over the country.
LOT Polish Airlines has announced that it is preparing alternative routes for connections across Belarusian territory.
Other airlines have bypassed Belarus, as shown on the websites, but have not issued an official statement on this.
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Rafael Ramos
Aviation enthusiast from an early age, he had his first contacts with the area developing that good old habit of spending dozens of hours in front of the screens of Micrsoft Flight Simulator and other simulators. With a solid background in various technological areas, including engineering and chemistry, Rafael has rejoined aviation as editor and author of articles and materials on our portal, providing invaluable help to the dynamics and expansion of the website and the aeronautical community, bringing us the news and updates so indispensable for us to remain current in our area of operation.
   
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