Hungary scrambles NATO jets after Tel Aviv–Prague flight loses contact

Hungary scrambled fighter jets under a NATO air policing mission after a passenger aircraft flying from Tel Aviv to Prague temporarily lost contact with air traffic control, Prime Minister Péter Magyar said.

The incident involved an Airbus A321, which triggered the highest level of alert for Hungary’s armed forces, according to a statement by Magyar.

“Due to an Israeli passenger airliner Airbus A-321, NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre recently declared the highest level of alert for the Hungarian Armed Forces,” he said.

A pair of JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets on standby was launched after the aircraft failed to establish communication with civilian air traffic controllers. Shortly after takeoff, the Hungarian fighters made visual contact with the airliner, after which its pilots re-established radio communication with Hungarian ground control.

“The fighter jets — in accordance with standard procedures for such situations — escorted the airliner to the border of the airspace, after which it left Hungarian airspace along its planned route. The civilian aircraft exited Hungarian airspace toward Austria at 20:10,” Magyar said.

Following the interception, the Gripen jets returned safely to their base in Kecskemét.

“During this incident, the Hungarian Armed Forces’ air policing duty service and NATO’s integrated air defence system operated effectively,” he added.

By Tamilla Hasanova