Russian aircraft inspected at Heathrow; Moscow calls it "blatant provocation"
A Russian airline Aeroflot aircraft underwent a surprise search by the British border guards at Heathrow airport on March 30.
United Kingdom Security Minister Ben Wallace called a search of Russian aircraft in London Heathrow Airport a routine procedure.
"It is routine for Border Force to search aircraft to protect the UK from organized crime and from those who attempt to bring harmful substances like drugs or firearms into the country," according to Security Minister’s official statement.
The search of the Russian aircraft came at a time when the relations between the two countries have been tense since March 4, over Skripal case.
Aeroflot executives said the UK authorities had searched the jet, bound to perform a return flight SU2583 from London to Moscow, without providing any explanations for their actions. In violation of the effective international rules, the captain of the jet was locked in the cockpit. The airline said the search fully ran counter to the international practice for such operations.
Moscow to ask the UK about reasons
The Russian State Commission for Flight Safety Oversight will send a request to Great Britain about the reasons for searching Aeroflot plane at London’s Heathrow airport, according to the Russian Transport Ministry. If London does not provide an explanation, Russia will reserve the right to apply similar actions to British airlines.
"This commission will send a request to our colleagues from the UK about the reasons for searching Aeroflot aircraft in London on March 30, 2018. If there is no explanation, Russia will regard these actions against our aircraft as illegal, and will also reserve the possibility of similar actions against British air carriers," the Ministry said.
Russia declares it 'provocation'
The Russian Embassy to the UK has called the search of an Aeroflot jet organized by the British authorities ‘a blatant provocation’ that defied the accepted international rules.
Search of @aeroflot plane at @HeathrowAirport was a blatant provocation. Read why: https://t.co/gIHXmfzghB pic.twitter.com/XrtvxAig6e— Russian Embassy, UK (@RussianEmbassy) March 30, 2018
"Border Force and Customs officers have searched the aircraft that was conducting the Aeroflot flights 2582 / 2583, Moscow - London - Moscow," it said. "This kind of event is extraordinary. Moreover, the British officials tried to search the aircraft without the crew being present, something categorically prohibited by the rules in force."
"After an Embassy officer arrived at the airport, long negotiations were conducted that allowed to ensure the right of the captain to take part in the search," the embassy said. "After the search was over, the British officers refused to provide any written document that would specify the reasons for their actions, their legal foundation and their outcome."
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