Hungarian Fighter Jets Scramble After Israeli Passenger Jet Loses Contact Over Hungary

Hungarian Air Force fighter jets were scrambled on Thursday toward an Israeli passenger plane after it lost contact with civilian air traffic control while crossing Hungarian airspace. According to Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar, the Airbus was flying from Tel Aviv to Prague when it stopped responding to calls from air controllers. NATO emergency procedures were activated, including the launch of intercept aircraft to identify the plane and check its condition.

The Hungarian jets approached the Israeli aircraft, made visual contact, and confirmed its identity. Communication between the flight crew and air traffic control was restored shortly afterward. The fighter jets then escorted the Airbus until it left Hungarian airspace, in line with NATO air-policing procedures.

The aircraft continued on its planned route via Austria toward Prague without further incident. Arkia said the crew operated according to the approved flight plan and the pre-set route. The airline said that communication with Hungarian air traffic control was lost during the flight, prompting local authorities to send a military aircraft to approach the civilian plane.

Arkia said it has opened an internal review to examine the circumstances with Hungarian authorities. The airline emphasized that the flight continued normally, landed safely at its destination, and that at no point were passengers or crew in danger.