European aviation authorities remain on high alert as a series of hoax bomb threats continues to disrupt commercial flights across the continent. Since the start of the week, at least 35 aircraft have been forced to divert or undergo emergency security searches due to these threats.
Widespread Disruptions
The incidents have affected multiple nations, prompting significant security responses. On Friday, Hungary scrambled fighter jets three times to escort civilian flights following threats against Wizz Air and Tarom aircraft. Prague Airport reported that at least eight flights were impacted throughout the day, involving routes to and from the UK, Spain, Denmark, and several other European destinations.
In France, the Prime Minister’s office confirmed that four additional threats were received regarding planes in French airspace. All affected aircraft landed safely, and bomb disposal units were deployed for inspections. Similar incidents were reported in Portugal, where police confirmed a threat against a Ryanair flight was a hoax, and in Bulgaria, where flights from London and Brussels were inspected upon arrival.
Ongoing Investigations
While authorities have consistently found the threats to be unproven, the cumulative impact has caused widespread operational delays. In one notable incident earlier this week, an Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome was diverted to a French military base. French prosecutors are currently investigating the pilot’s initial refusal to land at the military facility, which resulted in the scrambling of fighter jets. Aer Lingus has defended its crew, stating they acted professionally under challenging circumstances.
Despite the high volume of alerts, officials emphasize that the affected flights represent a very small fraction of the 26,709 daily flights operating within European airspace. Investigations into the origin and coordination of these threats are currently underway across multiple jurisdictions.
