A Russian authorities plane is presently enroute from Moscow to New York, so in case you see an attention-grabbing airplane on the bottom at Kennedy Airport later at present, now you realize why…
Russian jet flies from Moscow to New York
In the present day (Wednesday, June 26, 2024), a Russian-built Ilyushin Il-96-300, belonging to the Russian authorities’s fleet, is flying from Moscow (VKO) to New York (JFK). The airplane, which has the license plate RA-96019, is roughly 15 years outdated, and is working with the flight quantity RSD738.
As you’d count on, the flight is taking loads longer than it could if it might simply fly the direct route between Moscow and New York, however that’s not doable attributable to airspace restrictions in opposition to Russian registered plane. The plane first flew virtually instantly north, earlier than turning west over Finland and Sweden (in an effort to keep away from the European Union), after which flying southwest, avoiding Canada.
I’m curious to see when the plane returns to Moscow. I’m undecided if they’ve sufficient crew and this can be a particular sufficient mission that they will return instantly, or if it’ll function the leg again to Moscow tomorrow. Or maybe the jet will make a cease elsewhere in the USA, like in Washington.
What’s the objective of this flight?
In fact below regular circumstances, a Russian jet could be banned from flying a route from Moscow to New York, so what’s the objective of this flight, and why is an exception being granted?
Whereas it hasn’t been formally confirmed, it’s virtually sure that this airplane will carry Russian diplomats again to Russia. It’s attention-grabbing to notice that nearly a 12 months in the past to the day — on June 27, 2023 — the identical type of airplane carried out a flight from Moscow to the USA (with stops in New York and Washington).
So I think about the timing isn’t a coincidence, and that another Russian diplomats have been in Washington for the previous 12 months (or extra), and now have to go away. It’s additionally doable diplomats are being “cycled,” so some may also be arriving in the USA.
Even past these extra routine flights, there have been another “thrilling” flights to the USA by Russian navy jets previously couple of years. In March 2022, a Russian authorities jet flew from St. Petersburg to Washington. That flight had a extra thrilling backstory, as its objective was to choose up 12 expelled Russian intelligence operatives from the Russian Mission, who had been accused of espionage.
As an avgeek, I can’t assist however marvel what the inside of this jet is like, and how much service there may be onboard. If anybody has any insights, I’d love to listen to ’em! Under is a video I discovered about Putin’s airplane, which is identical sort of plane.
Backside line
An Ilyushin Il-96-300 belonging to the Russian authorities is presently flying from Moscow to New York. As you’d count on, the routing is way from direct, because the flight has prevented the airspace of the European Union and Canada.
Whereas there hasn’t been any official announcement, it appears fairly clear that this plane is coming to choose up Russian diplomats who’ve to go away the nation, and perhaps even drop some off. Russia final operated one in every of these flights virtually a 12 months in the past to the date.
What do you make of this distinctive Moscow to New York flight?
(Featured picture courtesy of Dmitry Terekhov)
