Bomb threats across Europe force multiple flights to divert and trigger airport security alerts

A new wave of bomb threats has disrupted European air traffic on Thursday, November 5, with at least 11 flights bound for cities across Europe receiving warnings about possible explosives on board. 

The incidents prompted emergency procedures, aircraft diversions and the deployment of specialist bomb disposal teams at several airports.

The security alerts affected flights and airports in France, Italy, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Poland and Austria. No injuries have been reported, and authorities have not confirmed the discovery of any explosive devices.

One of the most significant incidents involved an Aer Lingus Airbus A320 travelling from Dublin to Rome. Following a bomb threat, the aircraft was diverted to the Évreux military airbase in France, where it landed safely.

All 151 passengers and six crew members were evacuated while explosives specialists inspected the aircraft.

Italian fighter jets escort Finnair flight to Rome

Another security alert involved a Finnair flight travelling from Helsinki to Rome. After receiving a bomb threat, the aircraft was escorted by Italian Air Force jets before landing safely at Rome's Fiumicino Airport.

Airport authorities reported no disruption to normal operations following the landing.

Finnair also confirmed that another flight, operated by Jettime between Helsinki and Vienna, had received a similar threat. The aircraft landed normally in the Austrian capital.

In Bulgaria, authorities reported emergency landings involving three aircraft arriving from Copenhagen, Madrid and London following bomb threats.

Meanwhile, a LOT Polish Airlines flight from Warsaw landed at Brussels Airport after receiving a suspicious security alert.

In the Czech Republic, police activated emergency security protocols for four aircraft heading to Prague. Bomb disposal specialists boarded the planes after landing but found no explosives.

Second wave of bomb threats hits European aviation in 48 hours

Thursday's incidents follow another series of threats reported on Tuesday, November 3, when seven flights travelling to European destinations received bomb warnings.

Those incidents affected flights linked to Warsaw, Sofia, Rome and Murcia, among other destinations, forcing airports to activate security procedures and deploy emergency response teams.

No explosive devices were discovered on any of the seven aircraft.

A similar incident had also occurred on Monday, when a flight travelling from London to Sofia was diverted to Budapest and escorted by a Hungarian fighter jet following a bomb threat.

The succession of incidents has raised concerns about the safety of European air travel and the possibility that the threats could be coordinated.

European authorities investigate possible links between incidents

Security agencies across Europe are investigating the origin of the threats and whether the incidents are connected.

No organisation has claimed responsibility, and authorities have not attributed the threats to any terrorist group or foreign government.

Investigators are examining whether the warnings are part of a coordinated operation or a series of unrelated incidents.

The aviation security alerts have also coincided with several cyberattacks reported across Europe in recent days.

These include attacks affecting refrigeration systems at supermarkets in multiple European countries and blood donation facilities in France.

However, there is currently no confirmed connection between the cyberattacks and the bomb threats targeting European flights.

European authorities continue to investigate the incidents, while airlines and airports maintain security procedures to respond to further threats.