Several flights across Europe, including a jet from London, have been diverted after reports of bomb threats, with fighter jets scrambled to assist affected aircraft.
First Incident: Aer Lingus Flight EI402
The first incident was reported on board an Aer Lingus jet, flight EI402 from Dublin to Rome, carrying 151 passengers and six crew members. The flight was safely diverted to a military base in France with the assistance of French Air Force fighter jets.
According to The Mirror, the flight was seen circling above France before making the dramatic landing at around 10am local time (9am GMT), with bomb disposal teams at the scene.
Ryanair and Wizz Air Flights Affected
Three more Ryanair flights heading to Bulgaria, including one from London Stansted, another from Copenhagen and the third from Madrid, made emergency landings following similar threats, Bulgarian public broadcaster BNT has reported. Flights FR6410 and FR3606 landed at Vasil Levski Airport in the capital Sofia, while flight FR1730, from London, was diverted to the airport in Plovdiv.
A Wizz Air flight W46387 from Milan to Warsaw was diverted to Vienna after receiving a threat mid-air. A spokesperson said it was diverted due to a "bomb threat received during the flight" and that there have been a "series of similar bomb threats affecting several airlines across Europe in recent days".
Finnair and LOT Polish Airlines Responses
Finnair flight AY1761, from Helsinki to Rome Fiumicino, was reportedly affected by a bomb threat and was escorted by Italian fighter jets before landing safely at Rome's Fiumicino Airport at 9.30am local time, where it was met by bomb disposal experts.
LOT Polish Airlines said no suspicious items were found during an inspection of flight LO235, bound for Brussels from Warsaw, Poland. The airline said flight crew were "informed" of a "potential security threat" affecting the flight and conducted a security check prior to take-off. When it landed at Brussels Airport, additional security inspections were carried out and "confirmed no hazardous or suspicious items were found."
Czech Police Assess Threats as Low Credibility
Czech police said there were reports of an "improvised explosive device" against four jets heading to Prague but said they assess the "credibility of the threats as low". "We do not underestimate the threat, which is why all necessary security measures have been activated with the least possible impact on passengers and airport operations," the force said. "Upon landing, pyrotechnic inspections will be conducted on all aircraft."
Wizz Air also stated that it is 'not the only airline targeted' by threats. A spokesperson said: "Wizz Air confirms that today’s Milan Malpensa–Warsaw flight (W4 6387) has been diverted to Vienna following a bomb threat received during the flight. The diversion was initiated in accordance with established security protocols and procedures, with the safety of passengers and crew as the highest priority. This incident comes amid a series of similar bomb threats affecting several airlines across Europe in recent days. Wizz Air is not the only airline targeted, with other carriers also experiencing threats resulting in flight diversions and security checks. Wizz Air is cooperating fully with the relevant authorities and is taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of everyone on board. The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority."
The incident comes after seven flights received bomb threats on Tuesday, with planes operated by LOT Polish Airlines, SAS, Wizz Air and Ryanair either searched or diverted. It remains unknown whether those threats were hoaxes, whether they were linked, or who was responsible for them.
Matthew Borie of Osprey Flight Solutions, which advises airlines on flight threats, told Sky News at the time that the focus on Europe means "there could be a Russian angle". "We need to keep in mind, though, that Iranian hybrid warfare is just as active in certain pockets of Europe as well," he added.
