Air Force Had Contingency Plan for Hijacked Passenger Jets

Following a tense situation involving a Flydubai passenger jet, the Israeli Air Force has a contingency plan to deal with terror scenarios involving civilian aircraft, it was revealed Wednesday. The plan, whose name is classified, was developed in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks. The Air Force routinely monitors aircraft movements and maintains contact with air traffic control towers in the region, integrating intelligence from various sources, including the Mossad, to identify unusual patterns.

On Wednesday, Flydubai flight FZ1073, en route from Dubai to Ben Gurion Airport, transmitted a distress signal, which could indicate a medical emergency, technical failure, or a hijacking. In this specific incident, a struggle reportedly broke out between pilots in the cockpit, causing the aircraft to rapidly lose altitude.

Under the Air Force's contingency plan, fighter jets are scrambled to escort the passenger plane. If communication is lost, the jets attempt to reestablish contact and guide the aircraft to a safe landing. In extreme cases, if a hijacking is suspected with the intent of crashing the plane into a populated area, fighter jets may receive orders to shoot down the aircraft.

In response to the distress signal from FZ1073, four F-16 fighter jets armed with air-to-air missiles were scrambled and circled over Israel, prepared for a potential interception. The situation was resolved after a lengthy period when additional crew members reportedly gained control of the cockpit and informed Saudi air traffic control that the plane was under their command. The Air Force then returned to routine operations.

The incident prompted international media attention, with some outlets reporting on the pilot's actions to regain control and prevent the plane from crashing.