EU air traffic agency plans re-routes for flights shunning Belarus

The European traffic control agency Eurocontrol suggested on Tuesday that flights by EU and British carriers over Belarus every day should re-rout over the Baltic states.

The announcement comes after EU leaders on Monday agreed to shun Belarusian airspace after a Ryanair flight was forced to land on Sunday in order to arrest opposition journalist Roman Protasevich, who was traveling on board.

Protasevich is one of dozens of journalists and activists from Belarus campaigning in exile against Lukashenko's 26-year rule. He is also on a Belarussian government wanted list for terrorism.

The EU said it would also shut out Belarusian carrier Belavia from its skies and airports.

There are around 100 daily flights over the area that would be affected by the decision.

"Airlines avoiding the airspace of Belarus may well have an additional time and fuel cost, depending on the route. Longer haul routes will generally be relatively less affected," Eurocontrol told Reuters.

"The most efficient routes for the majority of carriers overflying Belarus will be to re-route through the Baltic States."