© RadarJet path on coast of Latvia
The private jet, identified by the German tabloid Bild as a US-made Cessna aircraft, was heading from the southern Spanish city of Jerez to Cologne, Germany. Media reports say at least six people were on board, including a pilot, a man, a woman and a young girl. Their identities have not been made public so far.
The pilot reported some "air pressure issues" in the cockpit soon after takeoff but the jet continued its flight, Bild claims. Air traffic control officers lost contact with the aircraft at some point as it was over the territory of southern France, and French and Spanish fighter jets were then scrambled to check up on the plane.
Bild reports that the fighter jet pilots who discovered the private aircraft in flight, failed to spot anyone either in the cockpit or the cabin. Yet, they allowed the jet to continue on its course. The aircraft did not land in Cologne and continued its flight northeast.
Comment: It will be interesting to see if Politico hews to the neutral stance proclaimed by Döpfner in the upcoming mid-terms.