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All the info from ATC is in that just vague enough category that you wonder if it’s just a language barrier issue or if what you’re thinking is really happening
by chrismeller 5y ago
All the info from ATC is in that just vague enough category that you wonder if it’s just a language barrier issue or if what you’re thinking is really happening.
I feel like the pilot knew something was off, but eventually went along with it because he didn’t really have any other choice.
Is Belarus going to become another country international airlines avoid flying over?
- dboreham 5y ago> pilot knew something was off The whole "there's a bomb that can be detonated over Vilnius" so you have to divert to an airport further away, where I am speaking from" thing sounds like a B-movie plot.
- fy20 5y agoAt the point they diverted they could have also flown to Kaunas (a Ryanair base) if the concern was to avoid flying over Vilnius. That would also have been closer than Minsk.
- StavrosK 5y agoI don't think the pilot was aware of any reason not to fly to Minsk at the time.
- bobthepanda 5y agoFlight plans include alternate airports, and Minsk is far enough away compared to other airports to not be on a filed flight plan for this particular route.
- VBprogrammer 5y agoFiled alternatives are for fuel planning and satisfying the bureaucracy (showing the flight complies with ETOPS etc). In a real emergency the pilots will select the most convenient airport based on whatever factors they are presented with. Especially so in today's world of paperless cockpits, in the past having the correct approaches to hand might have tipped the balance in favour of a planned alternative.
- bobthepanda 5y agoSure, and judging by the transcript Minsk wasn't the pilot's choice.
- md_ 5y agoBelarus is already such a country. https://www.npr.org/2021/05/24/999920538/eu-asks-all-eu-based-airlines-to-avoid-belarusian-airspace-after-forced-landing https://www.npr.org/2021/05/24/999920538/eu-asks-all-eu-base...
- publicola1990 5y agoI doubt Russian, Ukrainian airlines will stope overflying Belrus.
- davidgay 5y agohttps://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/ukraine-bans-belarus-flights-over-lukashenkas-air-piracy/ https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/ukraine-b...
- petre 5y agoRussia yes, but Ukraine has no reason not to follow suit. Even ignoring the fact that this is the right thing to do, they want good relations with the EU and NATO instead of being isolated like Belarus. https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_37750.htm https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_37750.htm
- tootie 5y agoIt's also possible the ATC was in the dark. Maybe their boss just told them there was a bomb threat and make them divert and don't ask questions.