NATO Scrambles Fighter Jets After Israeli Arkia Flight Loses Contact Over Hungary

Two Hungarian Air Force fighter jets were scrambled last Thursday toward an Israeli passenger plane after the pilot lost contact with air traffic controllers. The aircraft was an Arkia flight en route to Prague and was flying through Hungarian airspace when the incident occurred.

According to an Arkia statement released on Saturday, “At one point during the flight, contact was lost between the aircraft and the air traffic control unit.” The event triggered NATO’s highest alert level at its air operations center, prompting the fighters to take off. Hungary’s Daily News reported that the pilots did not answer air traffic control calls, and the jets were launched to identify the plane and establish contact with the crew.

Shortly after the intercept, the fighter pilots made visual contact with the aircraft, and the Israeli crew then restored communications with Hungarian controllers. In line with NATO procedures, the fighter jets escorted the Arkia flight until it left Hungarian airspace.

Arkia said its crew followed the approved flight plan and prearranged routes. The airline said the Hungarian authorities apparently decided to send a military aircraft after the communications loss, which led to contact being reestablished. Arkia said the incident is under internal review and will also be examined with Hungarian authorities. The plane continued as scheduled and landed safely at its destination, and the company stressed that at no point was there any danger to the aircraft, passengers, or crew.