While US and Russian spies were being swapped on a tarmac, the U.S.A. was represented by a private charter jet. The business of Vision Airlines is typically escape travel, got the contract for this flight. Government business being done by private contractors – not unusual, but some have questioned the choice.
Vision Airlines swaps spies
It looked more like a spy movie than a vision from 2010, but a Russian Emergency Ministry plane met up with Vision Airlines on a Vienna tarmac this morning. Ten accused Russian agents got on the Russian plane when four “Western Sympathizers” got on the Vision Airlines jet. The biggest post-Cold War era spy drama was hopefully over once both planes took off.
The choice of Vision Airlines
The decision to send the Russian agents back home and bring the American agents back to the U.S. on a luxury charter jet is an interesting one. An official Russian plane was used for the transfer. Was the choice of a luxury jet meant to pamper spies? Or were all the accessible planes already taken? One very real possibility is the fact both sides agreed to avoid military planes. It is an intriguing choice, to be certain – a luxury jet for government purposes. One has to wonder if Vision Airlines donated their $ 10,000 plus fee for this trip, or if the U.S. Government is footing the bill. Donation may are the best option, because the Vision Airlines traffic is getting so much traffic it has crashed.
Continually improving relations
The Chief of Staff of the White House has said that “the president was ‘briefed’” on decisions related to the spy swap. It appears most decisions were carefully made to stay away from as much conflict as possible. Both countries have said that they really want to try and “warm up” relations.
