The airlines are now evading Belarus airspace after the country’s president flew a military jet to forcibly land a military jet using a fake bomb alert to detain a controversial journalist.
According to details, a fake bomb alert forced Ryanair’s flight to Lithuania to take off and land in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. Police then arrested the ground journalist, Roman Protaswich, on suspicion of involvement in “extremism.”
The European Union (EU) has decided to impose sanctions on Belarus and its airlines from using the 27-member bloc’s airspace and use of airports. In addition, EU-backed international airlines have called for an investigation.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) strongly condemns any interference or necessity for civil aviation landings that contradicts the rules of international law.
The IATA added, “A full investigation is needed by competent international authorities.
At least one Ryanair flight avoided flying hundreds of miles in its voyage from Belarus, according to figures tracked by FlightDar24, and the Latvian carrier Air Baltic confirmed that it had “It has decided not to use the country’s airspace until the situation becomes clear.” “We, like all the European airlines, are looking for guidance today from the European authorities and from NATO,” Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O’Leary said.
