A Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300, registration B-KPF performing flight CX-382 from Zurich (Switzerland) to Hong Kong (China), was enroute at FL310 entering Austrian Airspace when communication with the aircraft was lost. The aircraft continued normally along its route and entered Hungarian Airspace without contacting Hungarian air traffic control prompting Hungary to dispatch two Gripen Fighter Aircraft to intercept the Boeing causing sonic booms over Hungary. The fighter pilots visually identified the aircraft, communication was restored and the aircraft was handed over to Romania while the fighter aircraft returned to their base. The Boeing climbed to FL330 shortly after entering Romanian Airspace and continued their flight to Hong Kong for a safe landing.
Hungary's Ministry of Defense confirmed two Gripen Fighter Aircraft exceeded the sonic barrier while intercepting a civilian airliner enroute from Zurich to Hong Kong, which had failed to contact Austrian and Hungarian Air Traffic Control.
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