Jets Scrambled in NATO Airspace after London-bound Flight Loses Contact
Summary
Hungary sent fighter jets to check a Cathay Pacific plane after it briefly lost contact with air traffic control while flying over NATO airspace. The plane was safe, communication was quickly restored, and an investigation is underway.Key Facts
- A Cathay Pacific Airbus A350 lost communication with air traffic control over NATO airspace on July 4.
- The flight, CX257, was traveling from Hong Kong to London Heathrow and was in Romanian airspace when the issue happened.
- Hungary scrambled two fighter jets to visually check the plane as part of NATO’s Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) system.
- Communication was quickly re-established, and the plane continued safely.
- The Hungarian jets are Saab Gripen fighters based near Budapest.
- Hong Kong's Civil Aviation Department confirmed the crew reported the communication loss and expressed concern.
- NATO’s QRA requires member countries to have fighter jets ready to identify and escort unknown or unresponsive aircraft.
- This incident happened shortly after another NATO interception involving British jets and a Russian aircraft near the UK.
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