Authorities in Germany responded to a false hijack alert on Tuesday, leading to the deployment of fighter jets to escort a passenger plane from Corfu to Nuremberg. The alert was triggered by a radio malfunction, according to Corendon Airlines, which operated the Boeing 737-800. The airline stated that the emergency code was sent while the aircraft was flying over Croatia, but no actual emergency occurred and all 178 passengers and crew were safe.
German police reported that the flight, designated XR456, inadvertently transmitted an emergency squawk code 7500, which indicates a hijacking in progress. Air traffic controllers were unable to reach the pilots or crew, prompting heightened alertness and response from authorities in several European countries.
A Rafale fighter jet from Croatia and German military aircraft were dispatched to intercept the plane. Nuremberg's Albrecht Dürer airport was temporarily cordoned off as a precaution until the situation was clarified. Police spokesman Michael Petzold noted that the inability to contact the cockpit led authorities to assume the worst.
The incident caused disruptions, with six flights delayed and two diverted. This false alarm occurred amid increased aviation security concerns following a recent incident involving a copilot attacking a captain on a Flydubai flight. Additionally, Nuremberg airport had previously experienced disruptions due to suspected drone sightings.
European authorities have heightened surveillance in response to various drone incidents and concerns regarding Russian activities. Recent accusations against Russia include attempts to undermine European stability and support for Ukraine.
Radio glitches are not uncommon, but they rarely escalate into major security events. Past incidents include a 2019 case where a pilot accidentally transmitted a hijack alert, leading to significant disruptions at Schipol airport. In another instance in 2011, a coffee spill caused a pilot to inadvertently set off a hijack alarm, resulting in a flight diversion.