Turkish F-16s escort LOT plane that issued hijacking alert

In a statement from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, it was stated that the LOT Airlines passenger plane broadcast a 7500 (hijacking) code while in Bulgarian airspace and subsequently entered Turkish airspace; all necessary security measures were taken despite the crew reporting that there was no negative situation.

The statement indicated that from the moment the aircraft entered Turkish airspace, it was closely monitored by two F-16 fighter jets belonging to the Air Force Command and was escorted until it left Turkish airspace.

It was reported that after Bulgarian authorities granted the plane permission to land at Burgas Airport, it was allowed to use Turkish airspace again, and the F-16s continued to accompany the plane until it exited Bulgarian airspace.

It was reported that the plane landed safely at Burgas Airport in Bulgaria at 17:12 local time.

The Ministry announced that the process regarding the nature of the incident is being closely monitored in coordination with the relevant official authorities.

On the other hand, in its initial statement, LOT Airlines indicated that the incident was caused by the pilot accidentally broadcasting the 7500 code and that no actual hijacking incident had occurred.

News Source: İHA