Bomb threats disrupt multiple European flights
A series of bomb threats in early November forced diversions, emergency landings and security sweeps on several airlines across Europe, though no explosives have been found.
A wave of bomb threats in early November has caused disruptions to passenger flights across Europe, prompting diversions, emergency landings and extensive security checks. Ryanair flights from Manchester to Murcia and from Dublin to Sofia were subject to aircraft and passenger searches after alerts, with all passengers and crew disembarked for inspection and no devices discovered.
Wizz Air reported that a flight from London to Sofia was diverted to Budapest on November 2, prompting a Hungarian Gripen fighter to escort the aircraft.
LOT Polish Airlines confirmed an unscheduled landing of a London-Warsaw flight at Warsaw-Modlin airport on November 3, leading to a temporary suspension of airport operations while the plane was inspected.
SAS Scandinavian Airlines faced a similar alert on a Copenhagen-Warsaw flight that landed at Warsaw-Chopin airport; Polish authorities said the threat could not be verified but the aircraft was checked and passengers disembarked safely.
Earlier, on October 18, an Austrian Airlines flight from Tel Aviv to Vienna was diverted to Sofia after a bomb threat was reported over Romania; a Bulgarian Air Force MiG-29 escorted the aircraft and a security sweep found no explosives.
In each case, airlines and airport officials reported that security protocols were followed, passengers were safely evacuated, and no explosive devices were found.