New Jersey-based pilot Fabio Espinal Nunez and Illinois-based pilot Brad Schlenker were detained after landing at Conakry International Airport while operating a ferry flight carrying a Brazilian family from Suriname to Dubai.
Relatives say radio transcripts indicate the crew received landing clearance from air traffic control, arguing the flight would have diverted if entry had been denied. According to the families, the aircraft was surrounded by armed forces upon arrival in Conakry, and Guinean authorities later accused the pilots of violating the country’s national airspace.
While the families dispute the allegation, they also claim that despite reports a civil judge approved their release, the two pilots have remained under military authority nearly six weeks later.
