On Ryanair flight emergency landing

Referring to the restrictive measures recently imposed by a number of countries against the Belarusian Airlines and Belarusian airspace, the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in Japan finds these actions damaging to normal functioning of the international civil aviation, mutually beneficial inter-state cooperation as well as people-to-people contacts, and would like to reiterate the position of the Belarusian side with regard to the emergency landing of Ryanair flight in Minsk on May 23, 2021.

The decision to land in Minsk was taken by the aircraft commander in full compliance with air safety regulations.

The Belarusian authorities acted in accordance with the international rules and made their decision based on the information available at the time. Priority was given to safety of the passengers.

From the very early stages of this emergency, the Head of Belarus’ Aviation Department was in touch with the ICAO Secretary General providing ample explanations as to the rationale of the actions of the Belarusian authorities. Available information was directed to ICAO, IATA and EASA.

The Belarusian side considers restrictive measures against Belavia as hasty, unprecedented, unsubstantiated and taken in violation of the international law.

Calling for a cool-headed assessment of the situation, the Belarusian side is ready to invite specialists from relevant international organisations to provide any data related to the incident, and to conduct its transparent investigation with participation of international experts.

It is dialogue and engagement, not sanctions or isolation, that should lead the way in international relations.

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