NATO jets escort British Airways plane after half-hour radio silence

Pilots of a British Airways service departing Cyprus for London went silent on all radio channels for around thirty minutes, triggering alarms at air traffic control. NATO fighter jets were dispatched, matched speed with the airliner, and used the emergency frequency to speak with the crew, who asked the jets to stay behind the passenger cabin. The intercepting aircraft were ordered to conduct a cockpit inspection, which concluded without detecting any terrorist activity.

After the check, the fighters continued alongside the plane until it crossed the German border. British Airways confirmed that all relevant protocols were observed and that the pilots will continue flying for the airline. The incident occurs amid heightened vigilance following recent hijacking attempts on other flights.