Bomb threats forced at least 15 commercial flights across Europe to divert or make emergency landings on Thursday, marking the third consecutive day of similar disruptions. Authorities conducted security inspections on all affected aircraft, with no explosives or hazardous materials discovered, confirming the threats as hoaxes.
Two primary developments emerged:
Aer Lingus Flight EI402, traveling from Dublin to Rome, was diverted to Évreux military air base in France after receiving a bomb threat. The Airbus A320 landed safely, and all 151 passengers and six crew members were evacuated. French military bomb disposal teams conducted a thorough inspection of the aircraft.
Multiple flights across Bulgaria, Italy, and the Czech Republic were targeted by bomb threats, prompting emergency landings or diversions. In Bulgaria, three flights—originating from Copenhagen, Madrid, and London—landed in Sofia and Plovdiv, where authorities conducted searches. In Italy, a Finnair flight from Helsinki to Rome was escorted by Italian Air Force fighter jets before landing at Rome Fiumicino Airport, where bomb disposal teams performed checks. In the Czech Republic, police activated security protocols for four flights heading to Prague, assessing threats as low risk but conducting inspections upon landing.
Security Response & Inspections
Authorities in France, Italy, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Romania reported that all bomb threats were unfounded. No suspicious items were found during searches, and flights resumed normal operations after inspections. Ryanair, Finnair, Aer Lingus, Wizz Air, and LOT Polish Airlines issued statements confirming the safety of their passengers and crews, with some flights resuming service after brief delays.
Broader Context & Recent Patterns
The incidents follow a wave of hoax bomb threats on Tuesday, which disrupted seven flights and a cruise ship across Europe. British authorities described those threats as "malicious hoaxes", while European officials have raised concerns about "hybrid threats" amid heightened geopolitical tensions. Additional disruptions this week have included cyberattacks on supermarket refrigeration systems and drone incursions near critical infrastructure.
Affected Airlines & Flight Details
- Aer Lingus (EI402): Dublin to Rome — Diverted to Évreux, France
- Finnair (AY1761 & AY1471): Helsinki to Rome and Vienna — Escorted and inspected; no explosives found
- Wizz Air: Milan to Bucharest — Diverted to Vienna; bomb disposal team deployed
- Ryanair: Three flights (Copenhagen to Sofia, Madrid to Sofia, London to Plovdiv) — Emergency landings; no suspicious items
- LOT Polish Airlines: Warsaw to Brussels — Landed safely; inspections clear
- Four flights to Prague (Czech Republic): Assessed as low risk; searches conducted
Authorities’ Assessments
- French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s office stated that the Aer Lingus flight was handled as a "security precaution", with military assets deployed to ensure safety.
- Czech Police described the threats to Prague-bound flights as "low relevance" but activated full security protocols as a precaution.
- Italian authorities confirmed that the Finnair flight was escorted by fighter jets "as a standard security measure", with no credible threat detected.
Passenger Impact & Operational Delays
While no injuries were reported, the disruptions caused significant delays for thousands of passengers. Airlines worked to rebook travelers and resume scheduled services. Wizz Air noted that its Milan-to-Bucharest flight followed "a bomb threat received during the flight", emphasizing passenger safety as its "highest priority."