El Al Plane From Thailand to Israel Safely Thwarts Attempted Communication Takeover

An El Al flight from Phuket to Israel foiled an attempted communication takeover by "hostile elements," safely continuing to its destination.

 

An El Al flight traveling from Phuket, Thailand, to Ben-Gurion Airport in Israel encountered an attempted takeover of its communication network by "hostile elements" on Saturday night, marking the second such incident within a week. Despite the alarming attempt, the aircraft successfully reached its destination without any harm to passengers or crew.

The incident occurred in airspace known for the activity of the Iran-backed Houthis, though sources in Somalia have implicated a group from the de-facto state of Somaliland, which has recently entered into an agreement with Ethiopia, as the perpetrators behind the attempted attack.

The flight crew, upon receiving anomalous instructions that deviated from their planned route, quickly recognized the threat. They did not comply with these instructions and instead switched to alternative communication methods, verifying their original route with other air traffic control services to avoid any potential danger or diversion.

El Al, Israel's national airline, has acknowledged the incident, pointing out that such communication disruptions have been widespread over Somalia throughout the week, affecting not only El Al flights. All pilots have been advised by official authorities to disregard suspicious instructions and to switch to alternative communication frequencies if necessary.

El Al reassured that the incident was handled with the utmost professionalism by the pilots, who are well-prepared for such scenarios. The airline emphasized that these disturbances were not targeted specifically at El Al and did not constitute a security incident. The adept response by the flight crew ensured that the flight's path remained unaffected, showcasing the preparedness and resilience of the airline's operations in the face of potential threats.

This incident underscores the complex security challenges faced by international flights, particularly those operating in or near conflict zones, and highlights the importance of rigorous pilot training and communication protocols in ensuring the safety of air travel.