By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Reading: Belarus Forces Ryanair Flight to Land and Arrests Journalist Onboard
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Font ResizerAa
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Signin Sign In
Follow US
Copyright © Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2025 | All Rights Reserved
Travel Radar - Aviation News > News > Belarus Forces Ryanair Flight to Land and Arrests Journalist Onboard

Belarus Forces Ryanair Flight to Land and Arrests Journalist Onboard

Satu Dahl
Last updated: 24 May 2021 09:39
By Satu Dahl
3 Min Read
Share
Ryanair moments before landing at Hamburg Airport. Photo by Kevin Hackert
SHARE

A Ryanair plane from Greece to Lithuania was diverted to Minsk, Belarus on Sunday following a false bomb threat. Activists say it was done by Belarus to arrest a dissident journalist Roman Protasevich who was onboard the Ryanair flight FR4978 from Athens to Vilnius.

According to the BBC, Belarus state-owned news agency Belta confirmed that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko had personally given the order for the plane to land in Belarus and approved dispatching a MiG-29 fighter jet to escort the aircraft to the country’s capital.

Nations’ reactions

Several European nations have already reacted to the incident with outrage and calls for intervention are growing . EU member state Lithuania where Protasevich is based is one of the countries urging the European Union and NATO to respond. Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania, Ingrida Šimonytė, condemned the incident on Twitter last night.

Twitter

Statement by the Lithuanian government said the following: “It is an unprecedented attack against the international community: a civilian plane and its passengers have been hijacked by military force, and a Belarusian citizen has been abducted, whose life and health are in danger. It is unjustifiable that ordinary international travellers have been held hostage to the regime’s aggression. This is the act of state terrorism directed against the security of citizens of the European Union and other countries, civil society of Belarus seeking asylum from the regime’s persecution, as well as international civil aviation. Lithuania will demand a clear and uncompromising response from the international community.”

President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, commented on Twitter yesterday that ‘the outrageous and illegal behaviour of the regime’ in Belarus will have consequences. “Those responsible for the #Ryanair hijacking must be sanctioned. Journalist Roman Protasevich must be released immediately. EUCO will discuss tomorrow action to take.”

Ryanair statement following the incident

Ryanair says it notified the relevant national and European safety and security agencies after being diverted to Belarus and apologised to all affected passengers through the following statement on its Twitter feed on Sunday evening.

Ryanair Statement
Ryanair statement following the incident on Sunday 23 May 2021.

You Might Also Like

Russian MC-21 Receives Funding Boost
Why Do Airlines Overbook Flights & What You Can Do About It
Cathay Pacific to Host IATA’s World Sustainability Symposium
Refurbed Boeing 777 to fly to Madrid with Emirates
Delta Fights Discrimination against Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link
What’s your thoughts?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Angry0
Satu Dahl
BySatu Dahl
Satu Dahl is our Chief Content Officer and an experienced journalist and editor specialising in aviation. Over the years, she has edited several aviation publications and websites, including the Aircraft Cabin Management, Low-Cost & Regional Airline Business, Regional International & MRO Management magazines.
Previous Article Puerto Rico Beach Puerto Rico Eases Restrictions For Fully Vaccinated Visitors
Next Article Flydubai B737-800 moments before landing Emirates Bets on Flydubai for its Post-Pandemic Recovery
Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest

guest

0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Upvoted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe

Trending News

A woman scrolling on social media ona. Cathay Pacific flight.
Cathay Pacific Extends In-flight Wi-Fi Offerings
Airlines Aviation Travel
EVA Air Boeing 787-9 aircraft.
EVA Air Announces New Direct Route to Dallas
Airlines Aviation Route Development
Firefighter Silhouette through smoke
Two Plane Crashes in Two Days in the U.S.
Aircraft Breaking News Incidents & Accidents
An Eithad Airbus A380 plane waiting on the tarmac.
Etihad Airways Operates Four Sold-out Inagural Flights
Airlines Route Development
A Singapore Airlines plane flying high above the ground with a blue sky in the background.
Singapore Airlines Announces 380,000 Discounted Tickets at 2025 Time To Fly Travel Fair
Airlines Aviation Points & Loyalty
//

Travel Radar is the leading digital hub for all things aviation and air-travel. Discover our latest aviation news, aviation data, insight and analysis.

Discover

  • Latest News
  • Subscribe
  • Weekly Digest
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Media Coverage
  • Press & Events
  • Join Our Team
  • Our Brands

Signup to our Newsletter!

And get the latest aviation news via our weekly news digest!

© Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2015-2025 | ISSN #2635-0696 | Trademark #UK00003579704
wpDiscuz
adbanner
Welcome to the TR Community!

Sign in to your account

Not a member? Sign Up