Israel Air Force Has Protocol to Down Hijacked Passenger Planes

Ten days after a hijacking attempt and intentional crash of a Flydubai aircraft, it was revealed that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) operate under a special order for civilian aircraft hijackings, codenamed "World Trade." This directive outlines combat aviation's response to terrorist or hijacker takeovers of planes, aiming to prevent escalating emergencies, further casualties, and attacks on strategic sites. If necessary, fighter jets can escort the hijacked plane to an airport or, as a last resort, destroy it. The order is activated by a distress signal, specifically code 7500, indicating a hijacking. This code was transmitted during the Flydubai incident. The order's name references the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center. The decision to shoot down a civilian aircraft is an extreme measure requiring consultation with top security and political leadership. Such action is considered to prevent a larger catastrophe, like mass casualties on the ground or damage to national security assets.

During the initial moments of the Flydubai incident, the circumstances were unclear, and the IDF prepared for a potential hijacking scenario. Following the distress signal, two Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter jets were scrambled to escort the passenger liner pending further decisions. These scrambles are part of regular IDF procedures for various situations, including deviations from flight paths, loss of communication, or distress signals from civilian aircraft heading to Israel. The IAF is on constant alert to counter aerial threats and unauthorized airspace entry, monitoring the skies 24/7 and capable of rapid response. This readiness includes continuous airspace monitoring, standing forces, and regular drills for emergency scenarios, focusing on early detection, swift decision-making, and appropriate action.

One scenario regularly practiced by the IAF involves emergencies on civilian planes bound for Israel, including potential aerial terrorism, hijacking, or a pilot's intent to crash the aircraft. Drills emphasize reducing response times and quickly moving from detection to assessment and intervention. The IDF stresses that activating the order does not automatically confirm a terrorist incident, as procedures can also be triggered by technical malfunctions, communication issues, route deviations, or crew errors. Each non-standard situation is investigated and monitored by the military until the circumstances are fully understood and any potential threat is neutralized.