The pilots apparently _were_ trying to leave Belarus airspace as soon as possible (normally they'd prepare for approach at this point), then the fighter jet interfered with its implicit shootdown threat. Whether they would've _actually_ done so is another matter, but no pilot is going to risk their passengers' lives for the sake of a possible bluff.
@@UltimaSpark50 There were two minutes of flight to the border. Who in his mind would turn a plane to a concentration camp if there were no threats, and there were two minutes of flight to Europe?
@@jimmechen5563 Hypothesis based on what I've been reading: The pilots maintained cruising altitude and speed, possibly in an attempt to reach Lithuania asap (normally they'd begin their landing approach a bit earlier), or maybe because ATC didn't grant them permission, or whatever. It seems they didn't divert until the fighter jet (with its implied threat of shootdown) interfered.
This is ridiculous. The jet was a lot closer to Vilnus at the time they received bomb alert. They should've landed there.
The pilots apparently _were_ trying to leave Belarus airspace as soon as possible (normally they'd prepare for approach at this point), then the fighter jet interfered with its implicit shootdown threat. Whether they would've _actually_ done so is another matter, but no pilot is going to risk their passengers' lives for the sake of a possible bluff.
Thanks for sharing! Just adding some hashtags, as I barely found it: #Belarus #Vilnius #Ryanair #journalist
RyanAirboycott
How is this their fault? They were implicitly threatened with being shot down, and the crew has to prioritise their passengers' lives.
@@UltimaSpark50 There were two minutes of flight to the border. Who in his mind would turn a plane to a concentration camp if there were no threats, and there were two minutes of flight to Europe?
@@jimmechen5563 Hypothesis based on what I've been reading: The pilots maintained cruising altitude and speed, possibly in an attempt to reach Lithuania asap (normally they'd begin their landing approach a bit earlier), or maybe because ATC didn't grant them permission, or whatever. It seems they didn't divert until the fighter jet (with its implied threat of shootdown) interfered.