Bomb threats targeting multiple airlines, including Ryanair and Aer Lingus, led to mass evacuations and flight diversions across Europe on November 5. The threats, made on November 3, have reportedly been confirmed as hoaxes, though it remains unknown whether they were linked or who was behind them.
Flights diverted and evacuated
Aer Lingus flight EI402 from Dublin to Rome was diverted to a military base in Évreux, France, after a bomb threat. Fighter jets were scrambled to escort the plane over France. The airline confirmed the flight landed safely and said it would work to reaccommodate customers to their final destination.
Three Ryanair flights made emergency landings in Bulgaria. Flights FR6410 and FR3606 landed at Vasil Levski Airport in Sofia, while flight FR1730, which departed from London Stansted, was diverted to the airport in Plovdiv, according to the Bulgarian public broadcaster BNT.
Wizz Air flight W46387 from Milan to Warsaw was diverted to Vienna, while Finnair flight AY1761 from Helsinki to Rome was escorted by Italian Air Force jets and landed safely at Rome Fiumicino Airport, where bomb disposal experts are inspecting the aircraft, the Italian news agency Ansa reports.
Wizz Air incident and ongoing checks
A Wizz Air spokesperson told the Mirror that checks are still being conducted at Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport after a bomb threat. Nearly 190 people were evacuated from the plane, which came from Milan this morning.
The spokesperson said: “Wizz Air confirms that today’s Milan Malpensa–Bucharest Otopeni flight was subject to a bomb threat, which was communicated to the airline. As the aircraft was already approaching its final destination, no diversion was necessary, and the flight landed safely at Bucharest Otopeni Airport.”
“The aircraft is currently on the ground at Bucharest Otopeni Airport, where the relevant airport authorities are conducting security inspections in accordance with established security protocols and procedures. These checks are still ongoing,” the spokesperson added.
Expert suggests possible Russian angle
Matthew Borie of Osprey Flight Solutions, which advises airlines on flight threats, told Sky News that the focus on Europe means “there could be a Russian angle.” He added: “We need to keep in mind, though, that Iranian hybrid warfare is just as active in certain pockets of Europe as well.”
Other flights reportedly affected include LOT Polish Airlines flight LO235 from Warsaw to Brussels, Finnair flight AY1471 from Helsinki to Vienna, and four flights bound for Prague, which are still being identified. Aer Lingus flight EI402 from Dublin to Rome diverted to Normandy as a security precaution, with the airline stating it would reaccommodate customers as soon as possible.
