False Bomb Threats Disrupt Flights Across Europe

A series of bomb threats disrupted air travel across Europe on November 3, prompting aircraft inspections, airport precautions and diversions. Eight flights faced threats in a little over 24 hours, including one diverted to Hungary on November 2. Authorities found no explosives, and no injuries were reported.

In Italy, two Ryanair flights bound for Rome, from Lisbon and Dublin, were searched after threats. The Italian Air Force escorted the Dublin flight to Rome’s Fiumicino airport. Police bomb-disposal experts checked passengers, crew and baggage, finding no explosives on either aircraft.

In Poland, a LOT flight from London to Warsaw was diverted to Modlin airport, which temporarily closed. The airline said a search found nothing on board; passengers were to continue to Warsaw by coach after border checks. A SAS flight from Copenhagen landed normally at Warsaw’s Chopin airport after a separate threat. Passengers disembarked, and one runway was closed as safety procedures were carried out.

A Ryanair flight from Manchester was inspected at Spain’s Murcia airport. Regional government delegate Francisco Lucas said the plane carried 121 people, including crew, and that checks ruled out explosives.

Two flights bound for Sofia, Bulgaria, from Bergamo and Dublin were also searched after landing. Transportation Minister Georgi Peev said neither had been diverted because of the threats. The previous day, a Wizz Air flight from Luton was diverted to Budapest and escorted by a Hungarian fighter jet; an inspection found no threat. Bulgarian authorities said they were trying to identify the sender of a threat.