A suspected cockpit input error on Corendon Airlines flight XR456 triggered a major security response at Nuremberg Airport after the Boeing 737-800 transmitted the international hijacking code 7500 and lost radio contact. German Eurofighters escorted the aircraft from German airspace to a safe landing, while airport operations were suspended and several flights were delayed or diverted.
The aircraft was flying from Corfu, Greece, to Nuremberg when the alert was transmitted over Croatian airspace. Corendon attributed the incident to a brief radio-communication malfunction, while police said the pilot apparently intended to report the radio problem but entered the hijacking code inadvertently. The exact technical sequence remains under investigation.
With the cockpit unreachable, Austrian fighters were alerted while the aircraft was in Croatian airspace before two German Eurofighters from Tactical Air Force Wing 74 took over the escort. Police deployed specialist negotiation and support units and prepared for a possible hijacking.
Nuremberg Airport remained closed for about two hours. Six flights were delayed and two inbound services were diverted, according to airport information. The aircraft landed safely at about 12:15 local time, passengers were confirmed safe, and operations resumed at approximately 13:20. Police said the code could not be cancelled once transmitted and did not plan to investigate the pilot because the entry was considered unintentional.