GERMAN AND BELGIAN FIGHTER JETS INTERCEPT AIR INDIA 787 DREAMLINER

The civilian plane lost radio contact with the control tower, causing the immediate takeoff of fighter jets.

Eurofighter Typhoon

Today an Air India 787 Dreamliner was scrambled by German Eurofighters, Belgian F-16s and Hungarian Gripens during its route from Ahmedabad to London Heathrow.

The alert was launched at 08.15 am when the Liner entered the Hungarian airspace in according to the flight plans, but without contact with the Air Traffic Control Authority. The Hungarian Gripens reached and escorted the B787 until it restored contacts.

German Eurofighters joined the Air India flight at around 10 am to escort it outside German airspace and deliver the aircraft to Belgian F-16s at around 10.30 am.

Air India flight AI171 landed at 11 am at London Heathrow.

This is the second time in a few years that an Indian Dreamliner is intercepted due to radio problems.
In October 2014 an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner was scrambled by two Italian Eurofighters during its flight to Rome. The aircraft had not contacted the ATC.

By Matteo Sanzani