Wizz Air flight from UK intercepted by fighter jet after bomb risk in mid-air
Wizz Air said authorities are carrying out a security inspection of the aircraft and its passengers following a bomb threat. The flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Budapest
A bomb threat threw the Wizz Air flight into chaos(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)
A Wizz Air flight from the UK was forced to make an emergency landing following a bomb threat today. The passenger jet took off from London to Sofia when the flight was thrown into chaos.
A Hungarian Gripen fighter jet was scrambled to escort the aircraft after NATO’s air defence readiness service issued an ALPHA alert. The Airbus A321neo reportedly changed course towards Budapest’s Ferenc Liszt International Airport while flying over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The plane touched down safely on runway two shortly after midday. Firefighters, police and counter-terrorism officers were waiting on the tarmac at the airport when the plane landed.
The plane was forced to make an emergency landing at Budapest’s Ferenc Liszt International Airport(Image: Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The plane touched down at 12.08pm before being parked in bay B5, where emergency services were in attendance, reports Hungarian news outlet Index.
Officials are believed to be doing a security inspection the aircraft and its passengers, Wizz Air told Hungarian news outlet 24.hu.
A spokesperson for the airline said: “Wizz Air is fully cooperating with the authorities and the safety of passengers and crew remains its top priority.”
Officials are believed to be doing a security inspection the aircraft and its passengers(Image: Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Runway two was closed for a while as officials dealt with the incident, with all other arriving and departing flights redirected to the airport’s remaining runway.
A report cited by Index stated: “Runway two is closed, all arriving and departing traffic is using the other runway. The flight was escorted in Hungarian airspace by Gripens of the Hungarian Defense Forces in accordance with the applicable regulations.”
Hungarian Defence Minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi responded to the bomb threat on Facebook. He said: “The NATO air defense readiness service issued an ALPHA alert. The Hungarian Air Force’s Gripen aircraft took to the air within minutes and ensured the landing of the passenger aircraft in Budapest.”
Mr Ruszin-Szendi said the fighter jets have returned to their base in Kecskemét. Police dealt with the matters that followed.
He added: “Readiness is not a routine, but a responsibility. Our soldiers have once again proven that they are immediately available in case of need and are able to guarantee the safety of Hungary’s airspace.”
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