Comp A flight tracker map of the Wizz Air flight W95301, which was escorted by IAF jets into Ben Gurion Airport following suspicions of a âsecurity incident,â February 8, 2026
Israeli Air Force jets were deployed on March 3, 2024, to escort Wizz Air Flight W95301 after a false alarm concerning a terrorist threat onboard. The flight, which originated from London, sparked panic among passengers when one individual discovered a Wi-Fi hotspot labeled with the Arabic word for “terrorist.” This alarming discovery prompted immediate action from security forces.
Upon receiving the report, fighter jets escorted the aircraft to a safe landing at Ben Gurion International Airport. An official from the Israel Airports Authority confirmed that upon landing, it was determined that there was “no real incident.”
The alarming situation unfolded when a passenger attempted to connect to the plane’s Wi-Fi and noticed the threatening hotspot name. This led to a swift notification to the flight crew, who took necessary precautions. Reports indicate that the hotspot name was allegedly set by a child of an ultra-Orthodox couple. Local outlets, including the Times of Israel, and Channel 12 detailed that the child changed the name of his phone’s hotspot, inadvertently causing the commotion.
The aircraft circled the Mediterranean Sea multiple times before receiving clearance to land. In response to the incident, all incoming and outgoing flights at the airport were temporarily suspended, although security measures were quickly reinstated following the assessment of the situation.
Authorities are currently investigating the matter, with emphasis on understanding how the hotspot name led to such a significant reaction. This incident echoes a similar occurrence last month when a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul was forced to make an emergency landing due to a Wi-Fi hotspot labeled “bomb on board.”
As the investigation progresses, officials continue to stress the importance of remaining vigilant while also understanding that not all alarms indicate genuine threats.
