Why Israel Scrambled Fighter Jets Toward a Passenger Plane Mid-Flight
Israel scrambled fighter jets after an Israel-bound passenger plane transmitted the international hijack emergency code (7500) while flying from Warsaw to Tel Aviv. The alert was later cancelled, and authorities said communication with the aircraft was restored. Bulgaria also deployed a MiG-29 to escort the plane. Officials are investigating whether the distress signal was activated accidentally.
Israel scrambled fighter jets toward a passenger aircraft over the Mediterranean Sea after the plane transmitted a hijack emergency code during its flight from Warsaw to Tel Aviv. The alert was later withdrawn, and authorities said contact with the aircraft was restored, with no indication of a security threat. Aviation officials are now investigating the circumstances that led to the emergency signal.
The aircraft, an Airbus A320 operated by Bulgaria's Electra Airways on behalf of LOT Polish Airlines, was flying to Israel when it reportedly transmitted transponder code 7500, the internationally recognised emergency code indicating unlawful interference or a possible hijacking. Israel, Lebanon Sign US-Mediated Framework Agreement in First Step Toward Peace (Watch Video).
What Triggered the Israeli Military Response?
According to Israeli and European officials, the aircraft broadcast the hijack code while flying over Turkish airspace. The Israeli military said it immediately scrambled two Israeli Air Force fighter jets after receiving reports that communication with the aircraft had been lost.
"Two Israeli Air Force fighter jets were scrambled toward a civilian aircraft over the Mediterranean Sea following a report of lost communication with the aircraft." The military later confirmed that the situation had been resolved. "The incident has ended and contact with the aircraft was restored. There is no concern of a security incident."Â Israel Recognizes Armenian Genocide, Ending Decades-Long Policy.
LOT Polish Airlines said the flight crew initially reported an emergency but later withdrew it during subsequent communication with air traffic controllers. "The crew reported an emergency situation." "This report was cancelled in the course of subsequent communications with air traffic control," LOT Polish Airlines spokesperson Krzysztof Moczulski told AFP.
Senior aviation officials described the incident as unusual and said investigators are examining whether the hijack code may have been transmitted accidentally before being cancelled.
Bulgaria Also Scrambled a Fighter Jet
Bulgaria's Defence Ministry confirmed that the aircraft transmitted transponder code 7500, prompting the country to deploy a MiG-29 fighter jet to intercept and escort the aircraft while it was in Bulgarian airspace. Instead of continuing to Israel, the aircraft was diverted to Burgas, Bulgaria.
According to LOT Polish Airlines, the diversion was made because of crew duty-time limitations. "Due to limitations related to the authorised working time for the crew."
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident to determine why the emergency code was transmitted. While officials have not ruled out accidental activation of the hijack alert, they have stressed that there is currently no evidence of an actual security incident. The incident briefly triggered coordinated military responses from Israel and Bulgaria before normal communication with the aircraft was restored.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 30, 2026 11:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
