Bomb threats disrupt at least ten flights across Europe

Bomb threats disrupted at least ten passenger flights across Europe between November 2 and 5, prompting diversions, military escorts and security checks. No explosives were found in the reported inspections, Yle reported.

The threats affected flights operated by several airlines, including Finnair. Passengers were evacuated from some aircraft, and one airport temporarily suspended operations.

Aer Lingus and Finnair

An Aer Lingus Airbus A320 flying from Dublin to Rome was diverted on November 5 to Évreux air base in northern France after a bomb threat, according to the French prime minister’s office. All 151 passengers and six crew members were taken to safety while bomb disposal teams searched the aircraft.

A bomb threat was also made against a Finnair flight from Helsinki to Rome on November 5. Italian Air Force units escorted the aircraft to Rome, where it landed normally, a Finnair representative said. The airline said a second Finnair flight to Vienna was also targeted by a false bomb threat.

Ryanair

Bomb threats affected four Ryanair flights on November 3, leading to inspections in Italy, Spain and Bulgaria. Two aircraft arriving from Lisbon and Dublin were checked at Rome’s Fiumicino airport, along with their baggage, passengers and crews. The airport operator, ADR, said the alert was lifted and that airport operations and other flights were not affected.

Security measures were also put in place at Murcia airport in Spain after a threat against a flight from Manchester, regional official Francisco Lucas said on X. Everyone on board left the aircraft and underwent security checks while security forces searched the plane.

A Ryanair flight from Dublin to Sofia landed safely after a bomb threat. Bulgaria’s Transport Ministry told Reuters that 185 passengers were on board. No explosives were found during the inspection.

Wizz Air

A Wizz Air flight travelling from Milan Bergamo airport to Sofia was threatened on November 3, Bulgaria’s Transport Ministry said in a statement to Reuters. The aircraft landed safely with 176 passengers, and a search found no explosives.

A Wizz Air flight from London to Sofia was diverted to Budapest on November 2 after a bomb threat, Hungary’s defence minister said. A Hungarian Air Force Gripen fighter was sent to escort the aircraft.

LOT Polish Airlines and SAS

A LOT Polish Airlines flight from London made an unscheduled landing at Warsaw Modlin airport on November 3 after a bomb threat, an airline representative confirmed. Airport operations were suspended and resumed around midday. Authorities searched the aircraft while passengers and crew waited in the arrivals hall.

A bomb threat against a SAS flight from Copenhagen to Warsaw on November 3 led to an inspection after the aircraft landed at Warsaw Chopin airport. The plane landed safely and passengers disembarked, SAS said. Polish authorities said the threat was unfounded, and airport operations continued.

Austrian Airlines

On October 18, an Austrian Airlines flight from Tel Aviv to Vienna was diverted to Sofia after a bomb threat was reported while the aircraft was over Romania, Bulgaria’s Transport Ministry said. A Bulgarian Air Force MiG-29 escorted the Airbus A320, which landed about 30 minutes after the alert.

The 51 passengers and six crew members were evacuated. Austrian Airlines said an inspection found no threat, and the flight later continued to Vienna with all passengers on board. No injuries were reported.