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Cathay Pacific flight's communication glitch triggers NATO alert, prompts fighter jet scramble
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Conflict & Security

Cathay Pacific flight's communication glitch triggers NATO alert, prompts fighter jet scramble

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A Cathay Pacific flight to London triggered a NATO security alert when it briefly lost radio contact over Romania.
  • Two Hungarian NATO fighter jets were scrambled to investigate the Airbus A350-1000, but contact was re-established before any intervention.
  • The incident occurred amid heightened NATO readiness on its eastern flank due to ongoing electronic warfare tactics attributed to Russian forces in the region.

A temporary communication error aboard a Cathay Pacific flight bound for London activated NATO's security protocols, prompting the scramble of two Hungarian fighter jets. The Airbus A350-1000 lost radio contact over Bucharest's control area on Saturday, triggering an alert at 13:42 Central European Time.

Nine minutes later, two Hungarian Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets launched from Kecskemét airbase to identify the commercial aircraft. The jets made visual contact near the Hungarian border as per standard identification and security procedures. Shortly after, the flight crew re-established communication with air traffic controllers.

the NATO declared a quick reaction alert

— Romulusz Ruszin-SzendiHungarian Minister of Defense

The airline confirmed the incident and is conducting an internal investigation. The flight, B-LXA, resumed its route and landed safely at London Heathrow Airport. Cathay Pacific emphasized that passenger safety was never compromised. This type of interception has become routine for NATO surveillance on its eastern flank, particularly given the heightened alert status in the region.

the safety of the occupants was never at risk

— Cathay Pacificairline statement on the incident
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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