Hungarian fighter jets were launched at an Israeli airliner

NATO activated its highest level of alert for air defense last Thursday, and Hungary launched fighter jets at an Israeli airliner belonging to the Arkia company. According to reports published yesterday (Friday), the Israeli plane failed to make contact with air traffic controllers while passing through Hungarian airspace.

The Hungarian Defense Forces sent two JAS-39 Griffin fighter jets to escort the Israeli Airbus A321, which was on a scheduled flight from Tel Aviv to Prague, following instructions from NATO’s Joint Air Operations Center, Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Medyar said in a statement on social media.

The Israeli aircraft was later escorted by Griffin aircraft until it left Hungarian airspace. It is still unclear why the plane did not initially contact air traffic control.

Barakie commented on the case and said: “The flight crew acted in accordance with the approved flight plan and on the predetermined flight paths. At a certain point during the flight, contact was lost between the plane and the air traffic control unit in Hungary. To the best of our understanding, following the loss of contact, the Hungarian authorities decided to activate a military plane that approached the plane, and as a result contact with the flight crew was restored.”

According to Arkie, “the incident is under internal review by the company, which will also examine its circumstances with the authorities in Hungary.” They clarified: “The plane continued its flight as planned and landed safely at its destination. We emphasize that at no point during the flight was there any danger to the plane, passengers or crew.”