An Aer Lingus Airbus A320 operating Flight EI402 from Dublin to Rome was diverted to Évreux-Fauville Air Base in France on November 5 following a bomb threat, French authorities confirmed.
The aircraft, carrying 151 passengers and six crew members, landed safely at the military airbase in Normandy. Bomb disposal teams conducted an inspection of the plane, and all individuals on board were reported safe. The French Prime Minister’s office stated it was monitoring the situation in real time.
Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 showed the aircraft initially circling near Paris before descending and landing at the airbase. The flight had declared an in-flight emergency and transmitted the squawk code 7700, the international signal for a general emergency.
Immediate Response and Safety Measures
The Évreux-Fauville Air Base, a French Air and Space Force installation, served as the landing site. Military bomb disposal teams were deployed to inspect the aircraft, and passengers were subsequently moved to a safe location. Aer Lingus confirmed the diversion in a statement, noting it was a security precaution.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s office issued a statement via Reuters confirming the diversion and monitoring of the situation. The Prime Minister’s office did not provide additional details beyond confirming the safety of all on board.
Broader Context: Recent Bomb Threats in Europe
This incident follows a series of bomb threats across Europe earlier in the week. On November 3, at least seven flights and a cruise ship were targeted, prompting emergency responses at multiple airports. No explosives were found in any of the incidents, despite extensive searches.
Among the affected flights were:
- A Ryanair flight from Dublin to Rome, escorted by an Italian fighter jet.
- A LOT Polish Airlines flight from Heathrow to Warsaw.
- A SAS Scandinavian Airlines flight from Copenhagen to Warsaw.
- A Wizz Air flight from London Luton to Bulgaria, escorted by a fighter jet.
The Polish capital’s airport was briefly closed, and Rome Fiumicino Airport was temporarily closed on Thursday due to the bomb threat. Additionally, a cruise ship bound for Haifa, Israel, was searched in Greece after a threat was made regarding an alleged explosive device on its hull.
Official Statements and Ongoing Investigations
Authorities in multiple countries have not indicated a responsible party and have not received any claims of responsibility for the threats. The French Prime Minister’s office stated that it was following the situation in real time, while Aer Lingus confirmed the flight’s safe landing and subsequent inspection.
Finnish airline Finnair also reported a bomb threat against one of its planes traveling from Helsinki to Rome on Thursday. The flight was escorted by air force jets and landed as scheduled, with no explosives found.
Flight Path and Timeline
According to Flightradar24, Flight EI402 departed Dublin Airport at 06:20 GMT and was scheduled to land at Rome Fiumicino Airport. Approximately 90 minutes into the flight, the aircraft began descending and making loops over the Evreux area before landing at the military airbase. The flight was cruising at 37,000 feet when the emergency was declared.
The Irish carrier Aer Lingus stated that the diversion was a precautionary measure, and no further details were immediately available regarding the nature of the bomb threat.
No Explosives Found in Prior Incidents
Despite the widespread disruption, no explosive devices were discovered in any of the bomb threats reported this week. Authorities in Poland, Italy, the UK, and France conducted thorough searches of aircraft and facilities, but all flights resumed normal operations after inspections.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and national aviation authorities have not issued additional safety advisories beyond standard protocols for bomb threats. Investigations into the origins of the threats remain ongoing.