A Cathay Pacific passenger jet en route from Hong Kong to London temporarily lost communication with local air traffic control over Romania on Saturday, prompting a NATO alert.

The incident unfolded as Flight CX257, an Airbus A350, was crossing Romanian airspace, according to Hungarian Defense Minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi. In response, neighboring Hungary scrambled fighter jets under NATO air policing protocols to issue a visual warning.

Cathay Pacific confirmed the intercept by the Hungarian fighter jets in a statement issued on Wednesday, emphasizing that the response followed standard international aviation safety procedures.

Communication was restored shortly after the intercept, allowing the flight to proceed safely to London Heathrow Airport, and passengers were never in danger, the flag carrier added.

ALSO READ: Cathay to cut fuel surcharges from July 1

Hong Kong's Civil Aviation Department confirmed on Wednesday that Cathay Pacific had filed an initial incident report.

Describing the event as a “temporary loss of communication”, the department said it is treating the matter with serious concern and has formally requested that Cathay Pacific submit an investigation report within one week, following standard procedures for such aviation safety occurrences.