NATO fighter jets were deployed to intercept a commercial flight following the activation of a ‘bomb threat’ WiFi network by a passenger.
According to reports from Spanish news outlet El Nacional, Turkish Airlines flight TK1853, originating from Istanbul, raised an emergency alert prompting French fighter jets to be dispatched under a Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) protocol. Subsequently, Spanish military aircraft took over escort duties as the flight entered Spanish airspace.
The Catalan news outlet reported that the aircraft was accompanied by military jets after a potential threat was identified over the Mediterranean Sea, near Italian territory at 10 am. The crew signaled a general emergency using a squawk 7700 code, leading to the diversion of the flight to Barcelona-El Prat Airport. The plane was directed to an isolated section of the airport to ensure the safety of other flights.
The security alert was triggered by the detection of a WiFi hotspot named with a threatening message, “I have a bomb, everyone will die,” confirmed by Turkish Airlines Communication Director Yahya Üstün and Catalan authorities. A total of 148 passengers and crew members were onboard during the incident.
Yahya Üstün emphasized the immediate implementation of safety protocols in response to the situation.
After disembarking safely, all passengers were relocated to a contingency area within the airport’s airside section. Sniffer dogs were deployed to conduct a thorough search of the aircraft, but no explosives were found by Spain’s Civil Guard police force.
The incident caused a delay of approximately 30 minutes, with the flight originally destined for Barcelona. Operations at the airport resumed without further disruption following the resolution of the situation.
This event occurred shortly after an Air India flight destined for Birmingham was compelled to divert due to adverse weather conditions caused by Storm Goretti. Flight AI117, departing from Amritsar, India, transmitted a squawk 7700 code on January 9 due to reduced visibility from heavy snowfall and freezing conditions, necessitating a change in course towards London.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft diverted near Leamington Spa, guided by Air Traffic Control (ATC) after a “Minimum Fuel” emergency was declared, indicating low fuel reserves. Birmingham Airport suspended all runway operations on January 9 due to inclement weather conditions, disrupting flight schedules.