Hungary scrambles fighter jets after Cathay flight loses contact over Romania

A Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong to London briefly lost contact with air traffic control over Romania, prompting a NATO quick reaction alert and the dispatch of Hungarian fighter jets.

Hungary’s Defense Minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi said on social media on Saturday that the Airbus A350, operating as flight CX257, failed to establish contact with Romanian civil air traffic control on the afternoon of July 4.

He said the loss of contact triggered NATO’s quick reaction alert, with Hungary, which borders Romania, sending fighter jets to issue a visual warning.

The aircraft later re-established contact with air traffic control, and the fighter jets returned to base.

It is understood that the flight, which can carry up to 334 passengers, arrived at London Heathrow Airport on time.

In response to inquiries, Cathay Pacific confirmed on Wednesday that flight CX257 experienced a “brief communication interruption” with local air traffic control authorities along its route on July 4.

The airline said communication was restored shortly after the interception by authorities in accordance with internationally recognized protocols, and the flight continued as planned.

Cathay stressed that the aircraft was operating on approved routes and that everyone on board remained safe.

The carrier added that the crew reported the incident immediately, and an investigation is ongoing.

𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝗽𝗽 ↓