An Electra Airways Airbus A320 operating a flight from Warsaw to Tel Aviv caused a high-level security response after the pilot accidentally activated the hijacking transponder code while flying over Turkey. The incident, which occurred during a scheduled international transit, led to the mobilization of military assets and an emergency diversion to ensure the safety of the passengers and crew.
Military Escort and Emergency Rerouting
Upon receiving the emergency signal—typically associated with code 7500 used to indicate unlawful interference—Turkish aviation authorities immediately initiated security protocols. The Turkish Air Force scrambled two F-16 fighter jets to intercept and monitor the aircraft. The military jets provided a continuous escort throughout the duration of the flight's transit through Turkish airspace.
- Origin: Warsaw, Poland
- Destination: Tel Aviv, Israel
- Aircraft Type: Airbus A320
- Intercepting Craft: Two F-16 fighter jets
Landing and Safety Procedures in Bulgaria
Following coordination with regional aviation safety bodies, the aircraft was rerouted at the request of Bulgarian authorities. The flight ended its journey prematurely at Burgas Airport (BOJ) in Bulgaria, where it performed an emergency landing. Standard operating procedures in such cases require a full security sweep of the vessel and verification of the crew's status before the flight can be cleared for further travel.
The incident highlights the rigorous security measures maintained within international corridors. While the activation of the code was unintended, the rapid response by Turkey and Bulgaria demonstrates the strict adherence to protocols governing potential threats to civil aviation. No injuries were reported among the passengers, and the situation was resolved without further escalation once the nature of the error was confirmed by the flight crew.