A Ryanair flight en route to London from Sofia was diverted around Czech airspace and given a Eurofighter escort over Germany on 11 August.
Ryanair flight FR9962, operated by a Buzz Boeing 737-800, was en route from Sofia Vasil Levski Airport (SOF), Bulgaria.
The aircraft was performing a scheduled flight bound for London Stansted Airport (STN).
Ryanair (Buzz) FR9962 Sofia-London
As the flight approached the Czech border on flight plan track, authorities denied the aircraft permission to transit Czech airspace.
As a result, the aircraft diverted to remain inside Austrian airspace to comply with the denial. When the flight transited German airspace, it was joined by two Eurofighter aircraft which then escorted the Ryanair flight.
The two escorting fighter aircraft remained with the flight as it transited German airspace, until it passed into Netherlands airspace.
The flight then continued to the destination, landing on runway 04 London Stansted Airport without further incident.
According to the online source The Aviation Herald, authorities reportedly received a threat of an attack, which led to the refusal to transit Czechia’s airspace.
Further details with respect to the alleged threat have not been released by authorities.
Flight & Aircraft Details
Flight data shows that flight FR9962 had departed from Sofia Vasil Levski Airport at 9:30 PM local time on 11 August.
Following departure, the flight had set course normally, climbing to flight level FL360 for the north westerly route to London.
The flight was approaching the Czech border at cruising altitude when the diversion to remain clear of Czech airspace was carried out.
The aircraft conducting the FR9962 service to London Stansted Airport was a Boeing 737-800, registered SP-RNH. This is a 14.5 year old narrow body aircraft operated by the carrier Buzz on behalf of Ryanair.
It has been in service with the parent airline since its initial delivery from the factory in February 2011.
