A technical malfunction triggered a false hijacking alert aboard a Tel Aviv-bound passenger jet on Tuesday, prompting Turkish, Bulgarian and Israeli authorities to scramble fighter jets before officials confirmed there was no security threat.
The Airbus A320, operated by Bulgaria-based Electra Airways on behalf of Poland's LOT Polish Airlines, was flying from Warsaw to Tel Aviv when it transmitted transponder code 7500 while in Bulgarian airspace. The code is the internationally recognized emergency signal for unlawful interference or aircraft hijacking.
According to Türkiye's Transport and Infrastructure Ministry, the aircraft entered Turkish airspace after transmitting the emergency code. Although the flight crew informed air traffic controllers that there was no abnormal situation on board, Turkish authorities implemented all precautionary measures required under international aviation procedures.
Two Turkish F-16 fighter jets escorted the aircraft from the moment it entered Turkish airspace until it exited, the ministry said.
Following coordination between Turkish and Bulgarian authorities, Bulgaria granted the aircraft permission to land at Burgas Airport. The plane briefly re-entered Turkish airspace en route to the Bulgarian Black Sea city, where it continued to be escorted by Turkish fighter jets before landing safely at 5:12 p.m. local time.
