The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Croatian Rafale jet intercepts Maltese-registered airliner flagged for hijack code
Croatian Rafale intercepts Maltese-registered Boeing flying from Greece to Germany as NATO flags it as potential threat for transmitting hijack code
A Croatian Air Force Rafale fighter jet intercepted a Maltese-registered passenger aircraft over central Croatia after NATO designated the plane a potential threat, according to Croatia Week citing the Croatian Defense Ministry.
The Boeing airliner was en route from Greece to Germany when interception was ordered, with Italian authorities reporting the plane was transmitting transponder code 7500, indicating unlawful interference.
Interception occurred above Korenica, a town in central Croatia, with NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre in Torrejon, Spain, issuing the order for the Croatian jet to intercept.
The Rafale reached the aircraft at 11:02 am local time and, after establishing radio contact with the pilots, escorted it out of Croatian airspace. The plane then entered Slovenian airspace at 11:20 am, 18 minutes after the interception.
The incident involved the use of transponder code 7500, the signal for hijacking, but the reports do not specify what prompted the signal or whether a threat was confirmed, and they do not provide details on the airline, passenger count, or final destination.