LONDON: A series of bomb threats targeting passenger aircraft across Europe has triggered emergency landings, airport security operations and flight disruptions, with several flights arriving from or departing for the United Kingdom among those affected.
According to Sky News, multiple aircraft received bomb threats on Tuesday while travelling to airports in Warsaw, Sofia, Rome and Murcia in Spain. Another flight heading to Sofia had reportedly received a similar threat a day earlier.
Although all the reported aircraft were subjected to security inspections, authorities found no explosives in the incidents detailed in the reports.
London-Warsaw Flight Diverted After Bomb Threat
Warsaw Modlin Airport in Poland was temporarily closed on Tuesday morning after a LOT Polish Airlines flight from London’s Heathrow Airport was diverted there following a bomb alert.
The Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, carrying 181 passengers, had originally been scheduled to land at Warsaw Chopin Airport.
According to reports, a bomb alert was issued at 9:54 am, and the aircraft landed safely seven minutes later. Security personnel searched the plane but found no suspicious objects.
The threat was officially declared over at 12:21 pm, allowing the airport to reopen. LOT Airlines said passengers were subsequently transported by coaches to Warsaw Chopin Airport.
Meanwhile, a Scandinavian Airlines flight travelling from Copenhagen to Warsaw also received a bomb threat but landed at Warsaw Chopin Airport. Authorities searched the aircraft and confirmed that no explosives had been found.
Manchester-Murcia Flight Makes Emergency Landing
In Spain, a Ryanair aircraft arriving from Manchester was urgently directed to land at Murcia Airport following a bomb threat.
The plane was carrying 114 passengers and seven crew members, all of whom were safely evacuated.
Spain’s Civil Guard searched the aircraft and ruled out the presence of explosives. Francisco Lucas, the Spanish government’s representative in the region, also confirmed the outcome in a social media statement.
Two Flights Targeted by Threats at Sofia Airport
Bulgaria’s Transport Minister Georgi Pef reportedly confirmed that two aircraft received bomb threats while heading to Sofia International Airport.
One flight was arriving from Bergamo, Italy, while the other was travelling from Dublin, Ireland.
The Wizz Air flight from Bergamo was carrying 176 passengers, while the Ryanair aircraft from Dublin had 185 passengers on board.
Following their safe landings, specialised counterterrorism units searched both aircraft. No explosive devices were discovered.
Bomb Alerts Force Inspections at Rome Airport
Further incidents were reported in Italy, where a Ryanair flight travelling from Lisbon, Portugal, to Rome was directed to land at Fiumicino Airport after an email warning about a possible bomb was received.
Authorities searched the aircraft but found no explosives.
Another Ryanair flight travelling from Dublin to Rome also received a bomb threat. However, security inspections of that aircraft likewise failed to uncover any explosive material.
UK Government Assures Travellers Over Aviation Security
A spokesperson for the British government said the country maintained a robust aviation security system, with established procedures to respond to potential threats, including hoax warnings.
The spokesperson added that police and intelligence agencies remained in close contact to assess and address security risks.
Meanwhile, Matthew Borie of Osprey Flight Solutions, an organisation that advises airlines on aviation-related threats, suggested that Russia could potentially be linked to the wider pattern of incidents. He also said possible Iranian hybrid warfare activities in certain European regions should not be ruled out.
However, no direct evidence establishing Russian or Iranian responsibility for the reported threats was provided in the account.
Borie said passengers should not panic, stressing that relevant authorities maintained coordinated security arrangements to deal with such incidents. In certain circumstances, NATO fighter aircraft could also be deployed to provide protection to affected passenger planes.
Previous Bomb Threat Diverted London-Sofia Flight
The latest incidents came a day after a Wizz Air flight travelling from London to Sofia was diverted to Budapest, Hungary, following a bomb threat.
The aircraft was redirected as a precaution, adding to growing concerns over aviation security across several European countries.
Although the reported threats led to significant operational disruptions, security searches of the aircraft described in the reports found no explosives. Authorities and aviation agencies continue to face the challenge of assessing such warnings while ensuring the safety of passengers and crew.
