Hungarian Fighter Jets Scrambled After Israeli Passenger Plane Lost Contact

Hungarian fighter jets were scrambled on Thursday after an Israeli passenger aircraft flying through Hungarian airspace failed to establish contact with civilian air traffic controllers, Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar said on Saturday.

The plane, an Airbus, was traveling from Tel Aviv to Prague. According to Magyar, the aircraft did not respond to calls from civilian air traffic control, prompting NATO authorities to activate standard air policing procedures.

Hungarian Air Force fighters took off immediately to identify the plane and make visual contact with its crew. Soon after, the Hungarian pilots successfully established visual contact, and the Airbus crew resumed radio communication with Hungarian ground controllers.

In line with NATO air policing protocols, the fighter jets escorted the aircraft to the edge of Hungarian airspace. The Airbus then continued on its planned route and left Hungarian airspace heading toward Austria.