Hoax bomb threats disrupt at least 27 European flights for second time in a week

At least 20 to 27 commercial flights across Europe were subject to bomb threats on Thursday, marking the second wave of such incidents in a single week. The threats, described by the UK government as "malicious hoaxes", led to diversions, police inspections and, in some cases, escort by fighter jets. Airlines including Aer Lingus, Finnair, Wizz Air, EasyJet, Ryanair and LOT reported disrupted services, with flights to and from the United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Finland, Poland, Romania, Spain and Denmark affected.

One Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome was diverted to a French military air base, while Italian fighter jets escorted a Finnair Helsinki‑Rome service. EasyJet said police met its flights from Newcastle and Glasgow in Prague as a precaution. Heathrow and Birmingham airports received threats that were later judged not credible. In Bulgaria, three Ryanair aircraft that landed after receiving threats were inspected by the transport ministry, which found no issues and restored normal operations at Sofia and Plovdiv airports.

Background

The incidents occurred against a backdrop of a series of cyber‑attacks targeting supermarkets and blood banks across the continent. Earlier in the week, seven passenger planes, including two departing the UK, were targeted by suspected bomb threats that the British authorities also labelled as hoaxes. A lesser-known entity identifying as the Fighters of the Male State, which asserts its opposition to a feminist regime, issued the most recent threats. Email warnings were sent to Rome’s airport authorities concerning two inbound flights. No explosives were found during searches, and authorities have not confirmed any link between the separate threats.

Why it matters

The disruptions affected thousands of passengers and highlighted the vulnerability of air travel to coordinated hoax campaigns. Airlines and airport operators were forced to divert aircraft, conduct security sweeps and coordinate with military assets, incurring significant operational costs. Transport ministries in Bulgaria and Italy confirmed that inspections found no threats, but the need for such measures underscores the seriousness with which authorities treat any potential danger to passenger safety. The repeated nature of the hoaxes has raised concerns about a possible deliberate effort to cause widespread disruption, as noted by aviation experts.

What happens next

European aviation authorities continue to monitor the situation, with no definitive attribution for the threats yet established. The UK government has labelled the incidents as malicious hoaxes and is likely to maintain heightened security protocols for forthcoming flights. Airlines such as Finnair and Wizz Air have issued statements confirming the safety of the affected flights and indicating that investigations are ongoing. No further specific actions or dates have been announced, but authorities have urged passengers to remain vigilant as they assess any future threats.