The German government is training to confront the possibility of using a hijacked plane in a terrorist act

In cooperation with the army and security authorities, the German government, headed by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, conducted a training exercise for a crisis scenario of hijacking a plane and using it as a potential terrorist weapon.

Government spokesman Stefan Cornelius said, “The aim of the maneuver was to reach a decision from the Council of Ministers, headed by the Federal Chancellor, in real time and within a time-constrained situation that poses a potential threat to public security in Germany.”

During the maneuver, a plane crossed German airspace from south to north. The scenario assumed that it might target a major public event, according to what government sources explained. As a result, two German Army Eurofighter fighter planes took off, intercepted the plane and forced it to land at an airport in northern Germany.

The government explained that the Cabinet decision necessary to deal with this situation was taken in a scenario that simulates real time, and in a hybrid format via secure communication channels, which ensures safe handling and decision-making within a very short period even in critical and delicate situations. Meretz participated in the maneuver from within the Crisis Management Center of the Chancellery.