The situation you’ve described appears to mix two distinct occasions involving Ryanair and Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), with some confusion across the time period “hijacked.” Primarily based on the supplied data and context, I’ll make clear the state of affairs by addressing the Berlin airport curfew-related diversion and the unrelated 2021 Ryanair hijacking incident, as no latest hijacking 250 km from Berlin is documented.
Berlin Airport Curfew and Ryanair Flight Diversion
On January 5, 2025, Ryanair flight FR2501 from Gran Canaria (LPA) to Berlin (BER) was diverted to Hannover Airport (HAJ), roughly 250 km away, as a consequence of Berlin’s strict evening curfew. The flight, operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 (registration 9H-VUR), was scheduled to land at 22:50 however arrived simply 90 seconds after the 23:59 curfew deadline, throughout closing descent at 410 meters. Berlin’s Joint Increased Aviation Authority (LuBB) enforces a strict no-landing coverage between 23:30 and 05:30 to attenuate noise air pollution, with no flexibility for minor delays.
The flight, already delayed from Gran Canaria as a consequence of a late inbound plane, pushed again at 18:32 and took off at 18:40, 108 minutes not on time. Regardless of the pilots’ efforts to make up time, the airplane missed the curfew, forcing a diversion to Hannover. Passengers endured a three-hour bus experience to Berlin, extending their journey by over 4 hours. Ryanair criticized LuBB’s inflexibility, noting the airplane was on closing strategy and that diverting created extra noise and emissions. Every passenger is entitled to €400 compensation below EU 261 rules for the disruption.
The same incident occurred with Ryanair flight FR1471 from Vilnius to Berlin, additionally diverted to Hannover as a consequence of a seven-minute delay previous the curfew, brought on by unhealthy climate and a late departure (23:52 from Vilnius, one hour forward of Germany). Ryanair’s head of communications in Germany, Marcel Pouchain Meyer, referred to as the curfew coverage “unacceptable,” arguing that minor exemptions needs to be allowed to keep away from such disruptions. Critics, nonetheless, blame Ryanair’s tight scheduling, which leaves little buffer for delays, particularly for flights arriving near Berlin’s curfew.
Ryanair Hijacking Incident (2021)
The point out of a “airplane hijacked 250 km away” seemingly refers back to the Could 23, 2021, incident involving Ryanair flight FR4978 from Athens to Vilnius, which was forcibly diverted to Minsk, Belarus, roughly 250 km from Vilnius. This occasion, unrelated to Berlin’s curfew, concerned Belarusian authorities utilizing a false bomb menace to intercept the flight and arrest opposition journalist Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend Sofia Sapega. The Boeing 737-800, operated by Ryanair’s Polish subsidiary Buzz, was in Belarusian airspace when a MiG-29 fighter jet escorted it to Minsk Nationwide Airport, 170 km from its place and 83 km from Vilnius, its supposed vacation spot.
Belarus claimed the diversion was as a consequence of a Hamas bomb menace emailed to Minsk airport, demanding a Gaza ceasefire and EU coverage modifications. The menace was later confirmed false by an ICAO investigation, which additionally famous Belarusian authorities didn’t protect vital information or present clear proof. Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary referred to as it a “state-sponsored hijacking,” suspecting KGB brokers have been on board to make sure Protasevich’s arrest. The airplane was delayed seven hours in Minsk, reaching Vilnius 8.5 hours late. The incident led to worldwide condemnation, EU sanctions on Belarus, and investigations by Lithuania, Poland, and the U.S. for “air piracy.”
Clarification and Evaluation
- Berlin Curfew Diversion (2025): The diversions of FR2501 and FR1471 to Hannover have been as a consequence of Berlin’s strict noise curfew, not a hijacking. The 250 km distance refers to Hannover’s location from Berlin. Ryanair’s scheduling practices and Berlin’s rigid curfew coverage each contributed to the inconvenience, with passengers dealing with vital delays.
- Hijacking False impression: The 2021 Minsk incident is the one latest Ryanair “hijacking” occasion, nevertheless it occurred over 1,000 km from Berlin and is unrelated to the 2025 curfew diversions. No hijacking occurred 250 km from Berlin in reference to these delays.
- Essential Observe: Berlin’s curfew is a neighborhood regulation to guard residents, however its rigidity frustrates airways and passengers. Ryanair’s tight schedules exacerbate dangers of lacking curfews, and their complaints might function a tactic to deflect blame. Conversely, the 2021 Belarus incident highlights state-sponsored interference in aviation, a far graver situation unrelated to operational delays.
When you meant a particular latest hijacking occasion close to Berlin, please present extra particulars (e.g., date, flight quantity, or supply), and I can examine additional. Alternatively, I can elaborate on EU compensation guidelines, Berlin’s curfew insurance policies, or the geopolitical fallout from the 2021 incident. Let me know your desire!
