Israeli broadcaster N12 reported on Thursday that security guards detained the passenger on board the flight after he attempted to infiltrate the cockpit of an El Al flight.
An El Al flight from the Czech capital of Prague to Israel underwent an emergency landing in Thessaloniki, Greece, due to a “violent passenger,” Israeli media reported on Thursday.
In a statement, Israel’s national airline said that flight LY2522 was forced to make an emergency landing in Greece, where the violent passenger was taken off the flight in cooperation with local police.
“El Al has a zero-tolerance policy for violence, and we shall continue to ensure the safety of our passengers.”
N12 reported later on Thursday that security guards detained the passenger on board the flight after he attempted to infiltrate the cockpit.
The suspect, who was described by N12 as “most likely an Arab,” was handcuffed before being escorted out of the plane in Thessaoliniki.
Previous El Al emergency incidents:
Last year, an El Al flight from Ben-Gurion Airport to Rome, Italy, was forced to turn around above the Mediterranean Sea after smoke was reported from inside the cockpit.
The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, successfully made an emergency landing in Larnaca.
