Corendon Airlines Boeing 737 intercepted by NATO jets after hijacking signal error

Boeing 737-800 transponder code 7500 Rafale fighter jet Corendon Airlines Nuremberg Airport

A Corendon Airlines Europe Boeing 737-800, flying from Corfu, Greece, to Nuremberg, Germany, triggered a major European security response after its transponder emitted code 7500, the international signal for an aircraft hijacking.

Following a NATO order, Croatian Rafale fighter jets intercepted the aircraft over Korenica at 11:02 local time. The Croatian pilots visually identified the plane and established radio contact before escorting it through Croatian airspace. The flight was subsequently tracked by Austrian and German Eurofighter jets as it entered German airspace.

The aircraft, carrying 177 passengers and six crew members, landed safely in Nuremberg at approximately 12:16, causing a temporary suspension of air traffic at the airport.

Investigations by German police suggest the incident was a false alarm. The error was likely caused by a failure in both the primary and backup radio communication systems. It is believed the pilot intended to enter code 7600 to report a radio malfunction but mistakenly entered 7500.

Entities

Boeing · Corendon Airlines Europe · Croatia · Croatian Ministry of Defense · Germany · Ivan Anušić · NATO · Nuremberg Airport · Rafale

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[DISPUTED] A Croatian Rafale fighter jet intercepted a Maltese Boeing 737-800 passenger aircraft following a security threat. www.oslobodjenje.ba · n1info.ba · skopje1.mk · n1info.hr · www.novilist.hr · +1 more
[● 6 SOURCES] The aircraft landed safely in Nuremberg at approximately 12:16, causing a temporary suspension of air traffic. www.oslobodjenje.ba · n1info.ba · lat.sputnikportal.rs · sputnikportal.rs · lentoposti.fi
[● 5 SOURCES] The aircraft was a Corendon Airlines Europe Boeing 737-800 on flight XR456 from Corfu, Greece, to Nuremberg, Germany. www.oslobodjenje.ba · n1info.ba · lat.sputnikportal.rs · sputnikportal.rs
[● 10 SOURCES] NATO ordered the emergency interception of the flight due to the potential security threat. www.oslobodjenje.ba · n1info.ba · skopje1.mk · n1info.hr · www.novilist.hr · +3 more
[● 8 SOURCES] The aircraft emitted transponder code 7500, the international signal for an aircraft hijacking or unlawful seizure of control. www.oslobodjenje.ba · n1info.ba · skopje1.mk · lat.sputnikportal.rs · sputnikportal.rs · +2 more
[● 7 SOURCES] German police are investigating the incident, with a potential radio equipment failure being a possible cause. lat.sputnikportal.rs · sputnikportal.rs · www.novilist.hr · www.index.hr · obris.org · +2 more
[● 6 SOURCES] The aircraft landed safely in Nuremberg, Germany, at approximately 12:16. lat.sputnikportal.rs · sputnikportal.rs · obris.org · expres.mk · skopje1.mk · +1 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] A Croatian Rafale fighter jet intercepted a Maltese Boeing passenger aircraft after a potential hijacking signal was detected. skopje1.mk
[● 2 SOURCES] The aircraft involved was a Boeing 737-800 operated by Korendon Airlines Europe on flight XR456. lat.sputnikportal.rs · sputnikportal.rs
[● 9 SOURCES] The aircraft's transponder emitted code 7500, signaling a possible hijacking. skopje1.mk · lat.sputnikportal.rs · sputnikportal.rs · n1info.ba · obris.org · +4 more
[● 3 SOURCES] The passenger aircraft carried 177 passengers and six crew members. www.novilist.hr · expres.mk · lokalno.mk
[● 4 SOURCES] The signal was likely activated by mistake due to a failure in the radio communication system and its backup. www.novilist.hr · obris.org · lokalno.mk