New bomb threats force more European flights into emergency landings

Bomb Threats Disrupt at Least 25 European Passenger Flights

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At least 25 passenger flights across Europe were forced to make emergency landings, undergo security inspections, or receive fighter jet escorts on Thursday, November 5, 2026, after a coordinated wave of bomb threats, though authorities found no explosives on any of the aircraft.

Widespread Disruption Across Multiple Countries

The threats, described as hoaxes by officials, caused significant disruption from Ireland to Bulgaria, affecting flights operated by major carriers including Aer Lingus, Finnair, Ryanair, Wizz Air, and LOT Polish Airlines. An Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome was diverted to a military airbase in Evreux, France, after the pilot did not cooperate with authorities as expected, according to the office of French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu.

In Bulgaria, three Ryanair flights received bomb threats, prompting the country’s air force to scramble MiG-29 fighters to escort the aircraft to the ground. Flights from Copenhagen and Madrid landed as scheduled in Sofia, while a flight from London Stansted was diverted to Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second-largest city. Security checks found no dangerous objects on board, according to local broadcaster bTV.

New wave of bomb threats hits passenger flights across Europe

Several aircraft were halted or returned to their stands while passengers were disembarked for inspection. In the Czech Republic, four planes heading to Prague received threats, which police assessed as low-credibility. After landing, all aircraft will undergo pyrotechnic inspections, Czech police said, adding that no explosives were found.

A Second Wave of Threats

Thursday’s incidents marked the second major wave of such threats in Europe this week. On Tuesday, at least seven flights and a cruise ship received similar alerts, prompting searches and diversions, though no explosives were found then either. The Bulgarian transport ministry confirmed that bomb threats resulted in no suspicious items being discovered on aircraft.

Among the flights affected on Thursday were a Wizz Air flight from Milan to Warsaw, which was diverted to Vienna; a Finnair flight from Helsinki to Rome, escorted by Italian military jets; and a LOT Polish Airlines flight from Warsaw to Brussels, which landed safely after an onboard inspection. A Wizz Air flight from Milan to Bucharest also landed safely in Romania, where 182 passengers and seven crew were evacuated for inspection before being cleared.

Countries Discuss Aviation Threats as Hybrid Warfare

The threats come as countries in Europe worry more about possible state-sponsored sabotage and hybrid attacks on critical infrastructure. Several European governments, including Denmark, Poland, and Romania, have previously accused Russia of hostile activities, while Germany blamed Russia for an attack on Leipzig airport in August. Although no country has publicly connected Thursday's aviation threats to any specific group, officials are discussing the incidents as part of hybrid warfare.

Europe flights france
Photo: Channelnewsasia

Eric Schouten, head of the aviation security group Dyami, noted that many of the countries affected by the threats support Ukraine in its war against Russia’s invasion. The energy sector, the internet sector, and the aviation sector are among those, Schouten said.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) said it would continue to monitor developments and assess potential aviation safety implications, while Europol’s deputy spokesperson, Claire Georges, stated that the agency stood ready to support national authorities at their request.

Earlier coverage: Multiple Bomb Threats Target Passenger Flights Across Europe

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