Created Tuesday, Jan 11th 2022 20:11Z, last updated Wednesday, Jan 12th 2022 08:38Z
A Ryanair Boeing 737-8 MAX, registration EI-HAY performing flight
FR-8288 from London Stansted,EN (UK) to Lanzarote,CI (Spain), was enroute at FL410 about 50 nm south of Lisbon (Portugal) when Portuguese Fighter Aircraft (F-16) intercepted the Boeing due to the loss of communication. Communication was restored, the fighter aircraft returned to their base after inspections, the Boeing continued to Lanzarote without further incident for a safe landing about 80 minutes later.
A listener on frequency reported the fighter aircraft approached a Ryanair flight to the Canary Islands due to the loss of communication, subsequently insisted on inspecting the cockpit from the left and right hand side at about 09:50z. The listener however could not remember the callsign of the Ryanair flight.
Portuguese Media reported based on statements by Portugal's Air Force a flight from the UK to Las Palmas had been intercepted due to the loss of communication. This information, even combined with the time stamp and information of the listener on frequency, left the possibility of several Ryanair flights from the UK to Las Palmas, which were all within the (Atlantic and Mainland) Airspace of Portugal at the time.
Portugal's Airforce reported they performed a "cockpit check" to determine whether they were any suspicious signs like a hijack situation or pilot's unresponsive/passed out. The alarm was determined false.
On Jan 11th 2022 another source reported two Portuguese F-16 fighters had been dispatched to intercept a flight originating in London Stansted.
On Jan 12th 2022 yet another source reported the aircraft's destination was Arrecife/Lanzarote, not Las Palmas as had been reported by the Air Force.
EI-HAY remained on the ground at Lanzarote for about 48.5 hours before returning to service.
Related Flight:
FR8288, Twitter:
#FR8288,
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