Twelve European flights diverted after third wave of bomb threats
Aer Lingus, Ryanair, Wizz Air, and Finnair aircraft were affected on Thursday, continuing a week of disruptions that began with a Wizz Air diversion from London to Sofia.
By Ryan Carter ·
European air traffic faced its third disruption this week on Thursday as false bomb threats forced the diversion and escort of multiple commercial flights.
Authorities and airline representatives confirmed that twelve flights received alerts by midday. All aircraft landed safely, though the incidents required extensive security measures and diversions across the continent. This follows a similar event on Tuesday when up to ten flights faced threats that led to temporary airport closures.
The threats targeted specific routes into Bulgaria and the Czech Republic. In Bulgaria, three Ryanair aircraft bound for Sofia from Madrid, Copenhagen, and London-Stansted were affected. Two planes arrived at their intended destination, while the flight from London-Stansted was redirected to Plovdiv. The Bulgarian Ministry of Transport confirmed these diversions.
In the Czech Republic, police reported a threat claiming the presence of improvised explosive devices on four flights heading to Prague. The police prepared for the landings with appropriate security protocols but described the threats as having low credibility.
Other affected routes included a Finnair flight from Helsinki to Rome and a Wizz Air flight from Milan to Warsaw. The Finnair aircraft was escorted by a fighter jet upon arrival in Rome and examined by explosives experts. The Wizz Air flight was diverted to Vienna, with the airline stating the move followed established safety procedures. Additionally, an Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome was diverted to the Evreux air base in northwestern France.
Aer Lingus stated that flight EI402 landed safely and that the carrier was working to transfer passengers to their final destination as quickly as possible. The disruptions mark the third consecutive day of interruptions, following a Wizz Air flight from London Luton to Sofia that made an emergency stop in Budapest on Monday, escorted by Hungarian jets.
The origin and motivation behind the threats remain unknown. The incidents occur against a backdrop of increased hybrid attacks in Europe, which authorities and investigators have occasionally linked to Russia or Iran.
