Child’s ‘joke’ triggers Israeli fighter jet escort of Wizz Air flight to Ben Gurion Airport

During the flight, a couple noticed the word “terrorist” written in Arabic on their device.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Fighter jets met a Wizz Air passenger flight over Israel on Sunday after a report from inside the cabin raised fears of a possible security threat.

The aircraft, Flight W95310 from London to Ben Gurion Airport, was shadowed from the moment it entered Israeli airspace until it landed.

The move followed an alert from passengers who believed they had seen something alarming displayed on a mobile phone screen.

During the flight, a couple noticed the word “terrorist” written in Arabic on their device. Concerned, they notified the cabin crew, who escalated the report through standard emergency channels to Israeli air traffic control and security officials. Given the nature of the alert, authorities ordered a precautionary aerial escort.

Security personnel and police were waiting near the runway when the plane arrived. After landing, all passengers and crew disembarked normally and were subjected to questioning and additional screening as part of the response.

A quick inquiry on the ground clarified what had happened. Officials learned that the couple’s son had previously changed the name of their phone’s wireless hotspot to a threatening phrase as a joke, without telling them. The misunderstanding only became clear during post-landing checks.

Even after the explanation, enhanced security procedures were carried out to fully rule out any remaining concern before passengers were allowed to leave.

The Israel Airports Authority said: “Due to suspicion of suspicious behavior on the aircraft, security forces acted in accordance with protocols. The incident has concluded. The plane landed, and it was determined that there was no actual security event.”

The episode highlighted how quickly authorities respond to even small irregularities involving flights approaching Israel.