Only a temporary interruption of communications for the Easyjet Airbus 320 sailing from Heraklion (Greece) to Bordeaux (France), which once the radio contact was restored continued on the predetermined route.
A pair of Eurofighter fighters of the Italian Air Force, in readiness for the surveillance service of the national airspace, quickly took off around 13.00 yesterday from the Grosseto air base, home of the 4th Wing, to intercept an aircraft Airbus 320 of the Easyjet company flying from Heraklion (Greece) to Bordeaux (France) which had temporarily lost radio contact with the air traffic agencies.
The two fighters intervened on the orders of the CAOC (Combined Air Operation Center) of Torrejon (Spain), the NATO body responsible for the surveillance of the skies in the area, which ordered the immediate take-off on alarm - in scramble technical jargon - to intercept the aircraft in trouble and verify the nature of the problem. A few minutes after take-off, the two interceptors established visual contact with the civilian aircraft, ensuring that the latter was not in emergency conditions. Once communications were restored, the same continued on the pre-established route, while the two fighters, the alarm ceased, returned to base.
The Air Force ensures the surveillance of the national airspace 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, with an integrated defense system, since peacetime, with that of other NATO countries. The service is guaranteed - for the surveillance, identification and control part - by the 24th DAMI Group of Poggio Renatico (FE) and by the 11nd Radar Group of Licola (NA), relative to the in-flight intervention, by the 22th Wing ( GR), 4 ° Stormo (BA) and 36 ° Stormo (TP), all equipped with Eurofighter fighter aircraft. Starting from January 37, the Italian Air Force also activated a Eurofighter F-2017 cell at the 2000 ° Stormo di Istrana in order to optimize the coverage of the national airspace, with a view to general reduction of intervention times and timely contrast of any threats. Furthermore, since March 51, the F-2018 aircraft of the 35 ° Stormo di Amendola have also been integrated into the air defense system, contributing with specific operational capabilities and latest generation technology to the defense of the Italian skies.