30.06.2026 21:20
A passenger plane flying the Warsaw–Tel Aviv route triggered an alarm in the sky by broadcasting the emergency code “7500,” which signifies a hijacking. As the aircraft entered Turkish airspace, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure immediately activated procedures, scrambling two F-16 fighter jets from the Air Force to closely monitor the plane. The aircraft, which changed course and made a safe landing at Bulgaria's Burgas Airport, was found to have sent the wrong signal due to a pilot error.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure announced that a state of alarm was triggered after a passenger aircraft belonging to Polish-based LOT Airlines, operating the Warsaw-Tel Aviv route, transmitted the emergency code "7500," which signifies an aircraft hijacking, while in Bulgarian airspace.
F-16S SCRAMBLED
According to a statement from the ministry, international aviation procedures were immediately activated for the aircraft, which later entered Turkish airspace. Despite the crew's initial declaration that "there was no incident," Turkish authorities, taking no chances, scrambled two F-16 fighter jets belonging to the Air Force Command with an emergency code. The F-16s began close monitoring of the Polish aircraft entering Turkish skies and escorted it step by step along its route.
AIRCRAFT LANDS IN BURGAS
In response to the developments, Bulgarian authorities also intervened for the aircraft, which changed course under emergency circumstances. After Bulgarian officials granted landing permission, the passenger plane was allowed to re-enter Turkish airspace to direct it toward Burgas Airport. The aircraft, tracked by Turkish F-16s, carried out a smooth and safe landing at Burgas Airport at 17:12 local time.
PILOT ACCIDENTALLY TRANSMITTED THE CODE
In the initial investigation carried out by LOT Airlines, it was determined that the incident, which put the skies on alert, was not an actual hijacking attempt but resulted from the aircraft's pilot accidentally transmitting the code "7500." The ministry reported that coordination and monitoring among official authorities regarding the process that caused tense hours in the air are continuing meticulously.