Flight intercepted by fighter jets after WiFi named 'terrorist' by passenger

Fighter jets were launched after a Luton flight triggered a security response when a passenger changed the name of a WiFi hotspot during the journey.

The intervention followed reports of “threatening messages” being displayed to passengers on Wizz Air flight W95301 from Luton, which was travelling to Ben-Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, reported The Mirror.

The alleged “ security incident ” came to light when cabin crew informed Israeli security officials of a possible onboard threat. According to the Sun, investigators later determined the hotspot had been renamed to “terrorist” by a child using his parents’ phone.

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Passengers alerted authorities, prompting fighter jets to track the aircraft as a precaution until it landed safely.

FlightRadar information later showed the aircraft making three circular holding patterns over the Mediterranean Sea, south of Cyprus, while the situation was assessed mid-flight. The plane was subsequently escorted into Ben Gurion Airport, where bomb-sniffing dogs were deployed.

The Daily Star reported that all passengers and their belongings were carefully searched 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 in and departing from Tel Aviv were briefly halted during the incident before resuming as normal.

The Airports Authority said in a further statement: “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.”