JERUSALEM – Two Israeli jet fighters were deployed when an Ethiopian airliner failed to identify itself as it entered Israeli airspace today, and escorted the plane to the main international airport, media reported.
The civilian aircraft, carrying some 200 passengers, apparently had not identified itself because of a technical problem with its communication system.
The Israeli air force pilots deployed to intercept the plane made eye contact with the pilot, indicating he should identify himself which he then did, the YNet News service said.
The jet fighters escorted the plane to Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv.
Last year, Israel acquired a system that identifies any aircraft entering its airspace.
The system is meant to significantly reduce the risk that a hijacked plane can enter Israeli airspace to conduct an attack like the September 11, 2001 attacks when hijackers slammed two fuel-laden airliners into the twin towers of New York’s World Trade Centre.
– YNetNews.com