Flight intercepted and grounded by fighter jets after child renames WiFi hotspot 'terrorist'

Fighter jets were scrambled after a UK flight prompted a security alert when a passenger changed the name of a WiFi hotspot while the aircraft was in the air.

The action followed reports of “threatening messages” appearing on devices aboard Wizz Air flight W95301 from Luton, which was travelling to Ben-Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel reported The Mirror.

The reported “ security incident ” was raised after cabin crew alerted Israeli security officials to a potential threat onboard. According to the Sun, authorities later determined that a child had secretly renamed his parents’ mobile hotspot to “terrorist.”

Passengers raised concerns, triggering a precautionary response that saw fighter jets monitor the aircraft until it landed safely.

FlightRadar data later showed the jet making three holding loops over the Mediterranean Sea, south of Cyprus, as security agencies assessed the situation during the flight. The aircraft was eventually escorted into Ben Gurion Airport, where bomb-sniffing dogs were deployed.

All passengers and their luggage were subjected to detailed searches after landing.

An Israel Airports Authority spokesperson later confirmed the scare was unfounded, telling the Times of Israel: “The aircraft landed, and it was found that there was no real incident.”

Flights arriving at and departing from Tel Aviv were temporarily suspended during the alert before normal operations resumed.

In a separate statement, the Airports Authority said: “Due to suspicion of suspicious behaviour on the plane, security forces acted according to the procedures for such a case. The incident ended. The plane landed and it was found that there was no actual incident.”