HUNGARIAN AIRSPACE — An Arkia passenger aircraft traveling from Tel Aviv to Prague lost radio contact with air traffic control while in Hungarian airspace on Friday. NATO activated its highest air policing alert level following the loss of radio contact.

Hungary dispatched two JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets to intercept the aircraft. NATO's Combined Air Operations Center coordinated the response, according to officials. The intercepted fighter jets established visual contact with the aircraft.

Radio communication between the flight crew and controllers was restored. The fighter jets then escorted the aircraft through Hungarian airspace before it continued toward Austria. The aircraft exited Hungarian airspace at approximately 8:10 p.m. local time and subsequently landed at its destination.

Hungarian authorities confirmed that standard air policing procedures were followed throughout the event. Initial assessments indicated the communication loss was likely caused by a temporary technical malfunction involving frequency fluctuation, according to officials. The exact cause of the initial loss of contact remains undetermined.

"The flight crew operated in accordance with the approved flight plan and along the predetermined flight routes. At a certain stage during the flight, communication between the aircraft and the Hungarian air traffic control unit was lost. To the best of our understanding, following the loss of communication, the Hungarian authorities decided to deploy a military aircraft that approached the plane, after which contact with the flight crew was restored," an Arkia representative said.

Arkia plans to conduct an internal review of the incident and will examine circumstances with Hungarian authorities. "The system operated efficiently throughout the incident," Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar said.