Israeli jets intercept Ethiopian airliner

25 November, 2008

TEL AVIV, Israel, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- Israeli Air Force jets scrambled Tuesday to intercept a civilian Ethiopian plane that approached Israel's airspace without identifying itself, officials said.

The Ethiopian plane, carrying some 200 passengers on its way to Israel, wasn't following safety regulations and did not identify itself, possibly because of a technical error in the plane's radio transmitter, Ynetnews reported.

Aviation officials told the Web site IAF pilots made eye contact with the Ethiopian pilot before he entered Israeli airspace, indicating he should identify himself. The pilot understood the instructions, made radio contact and was escorted to a safe landing in Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv.

An initial investigation revealed that the pilot of the Ethiopian plane did not identify himself on a few stations on the way to Israel. The identification process is meant to verify that the plane was not hijacked on its route and that it does not have hostile intentions.

Control tower workers spotted the plane on its way to Israel around Egypt and activated the emergency procedure.

Ynetnews