British Airways flight escorted by Hungarian fighter jets

A British Airways flight was escorted by two Hungarian fighter jets after it lost contact with air traffic controllers while flying over the country on Saturday.

The Boeing 777 was reportedly intercepted by two Hungarian Air Force Gripens scrambled to identify the aircraft after it passed over its border unannounced yesterday afternoon.

The flight was en route from Dubai to Heathrow when it was detected by the Hungarian defence ministry.

According to air safety protocols pilots must make contact with air traffic controllers on the ground when passing from one country's airspace to another.

When the BA jet failed to do so Hungarian authorities reportedly issued their highest alert and the pair of fighter jets were sent to identify the aircraft and ensure it was making safe progress.

The Gripens reportedly took off at 12.55pm before the BA flight made contact with ground control. The jets returned to their base at 13.21pm.