Two Greek F-16 fighters jets took off and accompanied through the Athens FIR a Boeing 747 of Israel’s national carrier EL-AL. The Boeing was flying the route New York – Tel Aviv.
The Boeing entered Athens FIR at 11:02 am Tuesday and exited it at 11:12 am.
According to Greek Air Force General Staff sources, the two F-16 escorted the plane while in Athens FIR.
Israeli daily Haaretz reports that also two Swiss fighter jets escorted the plane while in Swiss FIR.
Reason for the escort was a bomb threat.
Israeli Foreign Ministry said that U.S. aviation authorities had received an “anonymous tip about a bomb inside an airplane kitchenette,” Haaretz notes adding that “an examination showed the plane was ‘clean’ and it continued its journey as usual.”
The plane landed safely in Tel Aviv airport.
The incident occurs one day after an EL-AL Boeing 737 made emergency landing in Athens Airport due to smoke alert.
