Multiple European flights searched or diverted after bomb threats
At least seven aircraft across Europe were inspected or rerouted on Tuesday following bomb threats, but no explosives were found.
At least seven flights in Europe were searched or diverted on Tuesday after a series of bomb threats were reported, according to aviation authorities. The incidents involved departures from the United Kingdom and several Ryanair services, as well as flights operated by LOT, Scandinavian Airlines, and Wizz Air.
In Poland, a LOT flight from Heathrow to Warsaw was diverted to Modlin Airport after a threat, prompting an evacuation and security checks that uncovered nothing. A Scandinavian Airlines flight from Copenhagen to Warsaw also underwent a security inspection at Chopin Airport, leading to a temporary partial closure of the terminal.
A Ryanair flight from Manchester to Murcia in Spain was met by emergency vehicles on landing, but Spanish regional officials confirmed no explosives were discovered. In Italy, two Ryanair flights arriving at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport – one from Lisbon and another from Dublin – were searched, with the latter escorted by Italian air-force fighter jets before landing.
Bulgaria’s transport ministry reported threats against a Wizz Air flight from Bergamo and a Ryanair flight from Dublin to Sofia; both aircraft landed safely after inspections found no devices.
"The passengers were evacuated and the plane underwent security checks. Nothing was found," spokesperson Adam Szablowski told AFP.
"The UK has one of the most robust aviation security systems in the world, with well-tested processes for dealing with any potential threats, as well as malicious hoax threats, like those we’ve seen today. Our world-leading police and intelligence agencies work closely every day to keep us safe," a UK government spokesperson said.
Aviation security expert Philip Baum, a visiting professor at Coventry University, noted that bomb threats are a routine challenge for the industry, often originating from individuals seeking to cause disruption. He emphasized that while most threats are hoaxes, credible and specific warnings require appropriate responses to ensure safety.