Europe faces wave of bomb threat hoaxes affecting flights and newsrooms
A series of bomb threat hoaxes across several European countries has led to flight diversions, emergency landings and temporary newsroom evacuations, though no explosives have been found.
A wave of bomb threat hoaxes began on Tuesday and has affected at least 27 flights and a cruise ship across Poland, Bulgaria, Italy, Spain and the Czech Republic. Airports such as Prague's Vaclav Havel, Copenhagen, Warsaw-Modlin and Warsaw-Chopin have temporarily closed or diverted aircraft, and fighter jets have escorted some planes to safety. No explosive devices have been discovered.
News organisations in Ireland and Bulgaria also received emailed threats allegedly from a figure calling himself "Mikhail Andropov," prompting the Irish broadcaster RTE to evacuate its offices and suspend programming. The British broadcaster Sky reported a similar security alert. Reuters could not verify the sender's identity or confirm a link between the email threats and the aviation incidents.
Airlines follow a standard protocol that involves checking the threat against a security checklist, notifying authorities and, if necessary, conducting a full aircraft sweep. Eric Schouten, head of aviation security group Dyami, explained that the process can require unloading passengers and baggage, searching the aircraft and reloading, which may push crews past duty limits and cause delays.
A spokesperson for the British government described the incidents as "malicious hoax threats" and emphasized the robustness of the United Kingdom's aviation security system. Air France-KLM chief executive Ben Smith said the coordinated nature of the threats was unprecedented but expressed confidence in existing safeguards, adding that the airline does not request changes to government procedures.
Authorities have not attributed the threats to any specific group or state actor. While some European officials have previously accused Russia of hybrid operations, no evidence has linked the current hoaxes to a government. An Italian airport source mentioned threats purportedly from a banned Russian far-right movement, but the movement's founder denied involvement.
Aviation risk adviser Rhys Jones noted that bomb threats can arise from political grievances, activist campaigns, criminal activity or state-linked operations. European technology commissioner Henna Virkkunen warned that hybrid actions aim to destabilise societies and erode public trust.
Eurocontrol reports that overall disruption to European air traffic has been limited, though airlines face additional costs from diversions, fuel consumption and passenger rebooking. Pilots and crew remain prepared, with the European Cockpit Association urging adherence to safety procedures and condemning the use of civil aviation for geopolitical disruption.