Hungarian fighter jets intercept ‘Israeli’ plane over European airspace

BUDAPEST, June 13 (YPA) – Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar said on Saturday that his country’s fighter jets intercepted an Israeli passenger aircraft after it lost contact with air traffic control while transiting Hungarian airspace earlier this week.

The aircraft, an Airbus A321neo operated on an Arkia scheduled service from Tel Aviv to Prague, reportedly failed to establish communication with Hungarian air traffic services, triggering a precautionary response from the Hungarian Defence Forces and NATO’s integrated air policing system, Magyar said.

In response, Hungary scrambled two JAS 39 Gripen jets to intercept and escort the aircraft. The fighters established visual contact with the airliner, after which radio communications were restored.

Following standard NATO air policing procedures, the Gripens escorted the aircraft through Hungarian airspace to the border.

The flight then continued on its planned route toward Austria and its final destination in Prague without further incident, departing Hungarian airspace around 20:10 local time.

@E.Y.M