Numerous flights across Europe faced disruptions on Thursday due to a series of bomb threats that prompted emergency landings and security checks. The incidents affected more than a dozen flights, involving major cities such as Copenhagen, Dublin, Helsinki, Madrid, Milan, and Warsaw.
Authorities confirmed that some flights were diverted to alternate airports while others landed without incident. Inspections following the threats did not detect any hazardous or suspicious materials on board. This wave of threats closely followed similar hoaxes earlier in the week that had already led to searches and diversions throughout Europe.
The office of French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu reported that an Aer Lingus flight traveling from Dublin to Rome was rerouted to the Évreux air base in Normandy, where all 151 passengers and six crew members were safe. Military bomb disposal teams were dispatched to examine the aircraft, and passengers were interviewed and screened in groups of ten.
According to reports, the Italian authorities informed the French government of the threat, leading to the escort of the flight by a French warplane to the air base. Meanwhile, an official at Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci airport confirmed that an email threat prompted the escort of a Finnair flight from Helsinki to Rome by Italian air force fighter jets.
Finnair indicated that two of its flights encountered “unfounded hoax bomb scares.” Flight AY1761, which was slated to depart for Helsinki, underwent inspections that revealed no threats. Another flight operated by Jettime, traveling from Helsinki to Vienna, also landed safely and was set to return to service following a thorough check.
In Bulgaria, three Ryanair flights headed for Sofia executed emergency landings due to bomb threats. Flights from Copenhagen and Madrid landed safely, while another flight from London’s Stansted Airport was diverted to Plovdiv. Bulgarian fighter jets escorted all three flights, and subsequent inspections confirmed the absence of explosives.
Czech authorities reported that four planes bound for Prague were also targeted by bomb threats. Czech Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar stated that an anonymous threat was received regarding the possible placement of explosive devices on the aircraft and at the airport. Police, including the National Center Against Terrorism, Extremism, and Cybercrime, were investigating the threats in coordination with foreign partners.
Additional flights were similarly checked. A LOT Polish Airlines flight from Warsaw to Brussels landed safely, and inspections revealed no hazardous items. Another LOT flight preparing for departure from Warsaw to Paris was briefly delayed, but no threats were identified. A Wizz Air flight from Milan to Bucharest also landed without incident following a threat, and checks confirmed no danger.
The situation remains fluid as authorities continue to respond to the ongoing threats. Investigations are underway to identify those responsible for the bomb scare hoaxes.
