Panic as Wizz Air flight from UK rocked by bomb threat - fighter jet scrambled
Emergency services were dispatched to the runway.
A Wizz Air flight that had departed from the UK was disrupted by a bomb threat. The passenger plane was travelling from London to Sofia, Bulgaria when it abandoned its original route and made an emergency landing at Budapest's Ferenc Liszt International Airport on Monday. The Airbus A321neo had taken off from London Luton Airport at around 8.30am before reportedly turning towards Budapest while flying over Bosnia and Herzegovina. A Hungarian Gripen fighter jet was scrambled to escort the aircraft after NATO's air defence readiness service issued an ALPHA alert. The plane landed safely on runway two shortly after midday, with firefighters, police and counter-terrorism officers waiting at the airport as it came in to land.
Hungarian outlet Index reported that the plane touched down at 12.08pm before being parked in bay B5, where emergency services were in attendance.
Wizz Air confirmed to Hungarian news outlet 24.hu that the London Luton-Sofia flight had been diverted to Budapest after receiving a bomb threat during the flight.
In a statement reported by LBC, a Wizz Air spokesperson said: "Wizz Air confirms that today's London Luton–Sofia flight was diverted to Budapest following a bomb threat received during the flight.
"The aircraft diverted and landed safely at Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport in accordance with the relevant security protocols and procedures, before taxiing to a designated stand, where the relevant authorities carried out the necessary security checks on the aircraft and passengers.
"Wizz Air is cooperating fully with the authorities. The safety of passengers and crew remains our highest priority."
Hungarian outlet Index reported that the plane touched down at 12.08pm before being parked in bay B5, where emergency services were in attendance.
Wizz Air confirmed to Hungarian news outlet 24.hu that the London Luton-Sofia flight had been diverted to Budapest after receiving a bomb threat during the flight.
In a statement reported by LBC, a Wizz Air spokesperson said: "Wizz Air confirms that today's London Luton–Sofia flight was diverted to Budapest following a bomb threat received during the flight.
"The aircraft diverted and landed safely at Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport in accordance with the relevant security protocols and procedures, before taxiing to a designated stand, where the relevant authorities carried out the necessary security checks on the aircraft and passengers.
"Wizz Air is cooperating fully with the authorities. The safety of passengers and crew remains our highest priority."
Runway two was closed while authorities dealt with the incident, with other arriving and departing traffic using the airport's other runway.
A report cited by Index said: "Runway two is closed, all arriving and departing traffic is using the other runway. The flight was escorted in Hungarian airspace by Gripens of the Hungarian Defense Forces in accordance with the applicable regulations."
Hungarian Defence Minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi also reacted to the bomb threat on Facebook, saying the country's air defence readiness service had "once again proven itself in a critical situation".
He said: "The NATO air defense readiness service issued an ALPHA alert.
"The Hungarian Air Force's Gripen aircraft took to the air within minutes and ensured the landing of the passenger aircraft in Budapest."
Mr Ruszin-Szendi said the fighter aircraft then returned to its base in Kecskemét, while police took over subsequent measures. He added: "Readiness is not a routine, but a responsibility.
"Our soldiers have once again proven that they are immediately available in case of need and are able to guarantee the safety of Hungary's airspace."
