Passenger plane takes evasive action after Russian bombers fly through Irish airspace
A PASSENGER plane was forced to take evasive action after Russian bombers flew through Irish-controlled airspace, it emerged today.
Two passengers jets were disrupted by Russian bear bombers
The jet had to change its flight pattern to avoid a pair of Tupolev Tu-95 bombers which crossed commercial traffic airways.
Another passenger plane was delayed by the incident which affected hundreds of travellers.
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) confirmed there were disruption to the jets during the incident on February 18.
They said: "One aircraft's departure from Dublin was delayed due to the activity of the Russian military aircraft in UK controlled airspace.
"The routing of one en route aircraft was changed to ensure that its track was sufficiently separated from the track of the two Russian military aircraft."
The Russian bear bombers flew through Irish-controlled airspace
The routing of one en route aircraft was changed to ensure that its track was sufficiently separated from the track of the two Russian military aircraft
While the Russian planes did not enter Irish sovereign airspace they flew in and out of Irish controlled zones.
It is believed to have occurred during the same incident where British RAF Typhoon fighters were scrambled to meet two Moscow bear bombers.
They escorted away the planes which had been identified as flying close to British airspace.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said: "RAF Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon fighter aircraft were launched after Russian aircraft were identified flying close to UK airspace.
"The Russian planes were escorted by the RAF until they were out of the UK area of interest.
"At no time did the Russian military aircraft cross into UK sovereign airspace."