At least 12 European flights were targeted by bomb threats on Thursday, November 5, prompting fighter jet escorts, flight diversions and heightened security measures across several countries.
According to Channels Television, citing AFP, the incidents marked the third consecutive day of widespread bomb alerts across Europe, with low-cost airlines particularly affected.
Italian, French and Bulgarian fighter jets were scrambled to escort aircraft following the threats. At least two flights were diverted, while three diversions were reported in total.
All affected aircraft landed safely, and subsequent inspections found no explosives.
More than 20 bomb hoaxes have been reported across Europe this week, with Ryanair accounting for at least seven incidents.
Ryanair Flights Targeted
Three Ryanair flights heading to Sofia, Bulgaria, from Madrid, Copenhagen and London Stansted were targeted by bomb threats, according to a spokesperson for Bulgaria’s Ministry of Transport.
Two aircraft landed in Sofia, while the London Stansted flight was diverted to Plovdiv Airport.
Bulgarian fighter jets escorted all three aircraft as part of security operations. The country’s defence ministry said the missions were designed to detect, identify and escort the planes.
An interior ministry spokesperson confirmed that inspections found no explosives aboard the aircraft.
Finnair, Wizz Air and Aer Lingus Affected
A Finnair flight from Helsinki to Rome was escorted by an Italian fighter jet and inspected by bomb experts after a threat was reported.
The airline confirmed that nothing unusual was found upon landing at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport.
Finnair also disclosed another threat involving flight AY1471 from Helsinki to Vienna.
Meanwhile, a Wizz Air flight travelling from Milan to Warsaw was diverted to Vienna following a bomb threat.
Another Wizz Air aircraft flying from Milan to Bucharest landed safely, after which a crisis unit was established at Henri Coanda Airport, Romania’s intelligence service said.
An Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome was also diverted to France and escorted by military aircraft to Evreux air base, west of Paris.
The airline confirmed that the aircraft landed safely and said it would arrange onward travel for affected passengers.
Prague and Copenhagen Flights Receive Threats
Four aircraft bound for Prague, operated by Ryanair, EasyJet and Sky Express, were targeted by threats.
Czech police said they considered the threats to have low credibility but had activated all necessary security measures.
Prague Airport spokeswoman Denisa Hejtmankova said the threats were received through emails sent from anonymous addresses.
Two aircraft arriving in Copenhagen were also targeted.
Copenhagen police said their assessment indicated there was no danger to passengers or other people at the airport.
Authorities Investigate Motives
The origin and motives behind the bomb threats remain unknown.
The incidents come amid growing concerns over hybrid attacks across Europe, including sabotage, cyberattacks, drone activity and espionage.
France’s Secretary-General for Defence and National Security, Nicolas Roche, recently highlighted the increasing range of hybrid threats facing European countries.
Authorities have sometimes linked such activities to Russia or Iran, although no connection has been established between either country and the latest bomb alerts.
Earlier Bomb Alerts
The latest incidents followed similar disruptions earlier in the week.
On Tuesday, 10 flights were targeted by bomb threats, all of which were eventually declared hoaxes. The alerts prompted the closure of a Warsaw airport and the deployment of Italian fighter jets.
On Monday, a Wizz Air flight travelling from London Luton to Sofia was diverted to Budapest following a bomb threat.
Despite the disruptions, authorities confirmed that the affected aircraft landed safely and no explosives were discovered.
