Summary
- British Airways flight G-TTNB was intercepted by RAF Typhoons in a loud training exercise, alarming nearby residents.
- This interception was a part of a routine Quick Response Alert team training.
- The dual-engine Typhoons demonstrated exceptional performance as they safely escorted the airliner back to Heathrow.
British residents within the London area experienced a bit more noise than anticipated for a typical Friday night on November 17. Those attempting to close out their workweek with a quiet night in were startled by the roar of fighter jets overhead within the late evening.
Reports have emerged that a British Airways Airbus A320 was intercepted by a pair of Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoons, creating a number of moments of intimidating racket, but there ultimately was nothing to fear — the event was a regular, albeit loud training exercise, and it’s secure to say that the “mission” was completed.
British Airways flight takes off as ’emergency’ goal
Shortly after 21:00 BST, a British Airways Airbus A320neo, registration G-TTNB, departed London Heathrow Airport under the special callsign “CHARIOT.” Aviation enthusiasts can have been barely confused while tracking the nearly 6-year-old jet, typically used on industrial routes, which became the goal of a dramatic interception.
The 2 RAF Typhoons involved were flying on callsigns WOLF0011 and WOLF0012, with tail numbers ZK311 and ZK304. Data from Flightradar24 displays a stunning zig-zag flight pattern over the course of about two hours, reaching as far north as Boston and east of Great Yarmouth before heading back to Heathrow.
The actual scenario for the training exercise has not been made public, but per protocol, the Typhoon pilots played out an interception and escort procedure as if CHARIOT were an actual hostage situation.