Israeli Air Force fighter jets were scrambled Sunday afternoon to intercept a Wizz Air passenger plane as it approached Ben-Gurion Airport after a suspected security incident, which was later cleared.
The incident, described as highly unusual, is now under review.
The flight involved was Wizz Air flight W95310 from London to Tel Aviv. After the suspicion was removed, the aircraft landed safely at Ben-Gurion. Footage circulated from the landing shows police officers waiting for passengers after they disembarked.
It is still not fully clear what led to the exceptional decision to scramble fighter jets. According to one report, a passenger alerted authorities after noticing something suspicious on another passenger’s screen. Other reports said two passengers claimed they had received a ‘threatening message’. The circumstances remain under investigation.
The Israel Airports Authority said in a statement: ‘Due to suspicion of unusual behavior on board the aircraft, security forces acted in accordance with established procedures. The incident has concluded. The plane landed, and it was determined that there was no actual security event.’