European aviation authorities scrambled fighter jets and diverted flights this week after coordinated bomb hoaxes targeted at least 35 flights across the continent, according to confirmed reports. The threats, which began on Monday and peaked on Thursday, prompted emergency landings, military escorts, and extensive security searches at airports from Ireland to Bulgaria. No explosives were found, and no injuries were reported.
European intelligence agencies investigate possible state-backed origins
European security officials are examining whether the coordinated threats originated from pro-Kremlin activists or hacking groups, though no definitive attribution has been made. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that his personal data was disseminated on the dark web, with Premier Giorgia Meloni blaming pro-Russian hackers for the leak. Meanwhile, Spain’s foreign minister described the incidents as part of a broader campaign of ‘hybrid aggression’ and psychological warfare.
Disruptions span aviation and media sectors
The hoaxes disrupted flights operated by Wizz Air, Aer Lingus, and other carriers, forcing diversions to airports including Budapest, Prague, and Venice. Fighter jets from France and Hungary were scrambled to intercept threatened flights, including an Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome on Thursday. Authorities confirmed that five flights diverted, while most aircraft completed searches before continuing to their destinations.
The threats extended beyond aviation on Friday, when newsrooms in Ireland, the U.K., and Bulgaria received emailed bomb warnings from a purported ‘Mikhail Andropov’, claiming responsibility for the campaign. Irish broadcaster RTE evacuated its offices and suspended programming for up to three hours, while Bulgaria’s Nova TV and the U.K.’s Sky News also reported threats. The messages, titled ‘Message to the West’, warned of further attacks on transportation infrastructure.
Authorities respond with heightened security measures
The European air traffic authority reported that the threats caused minimal disruption to overall aviation operations, despite the widespread nature of the incidents. Security experts noted that the coordinated attacks exploited aviation’s vulnerability to in-flight threats, which trigger mandatory emergency protocols regardless of hoax status. NATO confirmed increased air patrols in response to the escalating situation.
Broader context of hybrid threats
The bomb hoaxes followed other recent disruptions in Europe, including cyberattacks on supermarket refrigeration systems and blood banks in France, as well as drone incursions. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has previously warned of ‘hybrid warfare’ tactics aimed at destabilizing the continent, with EU officials attributing such campaigns to foreign adversaries seeking to undermine public confidence. Security analysts described the attacks as low-cost, deniable operations designed to test response times and sow mistrust.
Next steps: Investigation and policy review
European security experts are scheduled to meet in Brussels next week to discuss countermeasures against such hoaxes. While no group has claimed responsibility, officials emphasized the need for enhanced coordination between airlines, airports, and intelligence agencies to mitigate future disruptions. The incidents remain under investigation, with authorities urging caution amid ongoing uncertainty about the perpetrators’ motives.