Bomb Threats Disrupt Dozens of Flights Across Europe
A new wave of bomb threats disrupted air travel across Europe on Thursday, Nov. 5, forcing passenger planes to divert, make emergency landings and undergo security searches. It was the second time in a week that threats targeted multiple flights across the continent.
The threats on Thursday affected at least 27 passenger flights in countries including France, Italy, Bulgaria, Spain, Denmark, Poland, Romania, Ireland, the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic. So far, no explosives have been found on any of the affected planes.
Fighter Jets Escort Passenger Planes
Several European governments sent military aircraft to escort passenger flights after the threats were received. In Bulgaria, the air force said its fighter jets escorted three airliners to the ground. Italian Air Force jets also escorted a Finnair flight from Helsinki to its scheduled landing in Rome.
Bulgarian transport authorities later confirmed that their inspections found no issues on any of the three planes that landed there after the threats.
Flights Diverted Across the Continent
The threats affected a wide range of airlines and routes. Among them:
Aer Lingus: A flight from Dublin to Rome was diverted to an air base in Évreux, France.
Ryanair: Three Ryanair planes received bomb threats and made landings at Bulgarian airports. Italian border police also carried out checks on a Ryanair flight from Porto, Portugal.
easyJet: Two flights to Prague, one from Newcastle and one from Glasgow, were met by police on arrival as a precaution. Passengers on both flights disembarked normally, the airline said.
LOT Polish Airlines: A flight from Warsaw landed safely in Brussels following a bomb alert.
Wizz Air: A flight from Milan to Bucharest received a threat while already on final approach and landed safely without diverting.
Two other flights, one operated by Jettime from Helsinki and a Wizz Air flight from Milan to Warsaw, ended up in Vienna after receiving threats. Four planes heading to Prague were also targeted.
The Second Wave in a Week
Thursday’s disruptions followed a similar string of threats on Tuesday, Nov. 3. At least seven flights and one cruise ship received bomb threats that day, leading to emergency searches across Europe.
Four Ryanair flights were among those affected on Tuesday, prompting searches in Italy, Spain and Bulgaria. The threats also briefly shut down an airport outside Warsaw, Poland.
A Suspected Hoax Campaign
Authorities haven’t said who is behind the threats. Aviation security analysts have pointed to a suspected hoax campaign, given how many flights were targeted in such a short period and the fact that no explosives have been found.
Even when a threat is likely a hoax, airlines and authorities are required to treat each one seriously. That means diverting planes, evacuating passengers and conducting thorough security sweeps, which can lead to significant delays.
Travelers Continue Their Trips
Despite the disruptions, many travelers have pressed on with their plans. At Rome’s Fiumicino airport, passengers said they would continue their travels on Thursday after the threats affecting two Rome-bound flights turned out to be false.
What Travelers Should Know
If you’re flying in Europe in the coming days, a few simple steps can help:
Check your flight status often. Airline apps and text alerts are the fastest way to learn about delays or diversions.
Follow crew instructions. If your flight is diverted or evacuated, crew members and security staff will guide you through the process.
Allow extra time. Additional security measures may lead to longer lines at some airports.
Contact your airline about rebooking. If your trip is disrupted, your airline can explain your options for rebooking or assistance.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the source of the threats.
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