During the US-Russia spy swap this morning, the U.S. was represented not by a military plane, but by Vision Airlines. The business of Vision Airlines is typically vacation travel, however they got the contract for this flight. Government business being done by private contractors – not unusual, but some have questioned the choice.
Spies from two countries swapped thanks to Vision Airlines
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. Both planes took off, and also the biggest post-Cold War era spy drama was (hopefully) over.
Why Vision Airlines got the gig
A few questions have been raised over why the US chose a luxury charter jet rather than an official airplane. Russia definitely took a more austere approach with the government plane. What exactly were US officials thinking with this choice? Was each and every other plane within the entire United States already taken? It is possible that both the United States and Russia agreed to not use military planes, just in case. Either way, the choice of a luxury charter jet to swap spies is an interesting one. No word on if the various thousand dollar flight fee was donated, or if the bill is going to the government. Vision Airlines is certainly getting attention for the choice – their website has crashed multiple times today.
Improving relations between countries
The Chief of Staff of the White House has said that “the president was ‘briefed’” on decisions related to the spy swap. The choice to use Vision Airlines rather than military planes, to not make announcements, and to keep the spy swap as low profile as they could all point to a desire to not start a fight. Both countries have said that they really want to try and “warm up” relations.
