Bomb threats disrupted commercial flights across Europe on Nov. 3, prompting diversions and security inspections. All affected aircraft landed safely, and no explosives were found. (Foto: Instagram)
Bomb threats targeting commercial flights disrupted air travel across Europe on Tuesday, Nov. 3, prompting security responses in Poland, Spain, Bulgaria and Italy. At least seven flights were reported to have received alerts. Some aircraft were diverted, and one airport temporarily suspended operations. All aircraft landed safely, and searches found no explosives.
In Poland, a LOT flight from London to Warsaw was diverted to Modlin Airport. The Boeing 737 MAX, carrying 181 people, landed safely and was taken to a secured area for inspection. Airport operations were temporarily suspended while searches were conducted, then resumed. A Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) flight from Copenhagen also received a threat before landing at Warsaw Chopin Airport. The plane was inspected, but the airport did not experience a prolonged interruption.
In Spain, a Ryanair flight traveling from Manchester, England, to Murcia received a bomb threat. The aircraft landed without incident and was searched by emergency crews, police and explosives specialists. Authorities described the alert as false.
A plane arriving in Sofia, Bulgaria, from Israel was also examined after an emailed threat. It was moved to an area away from the terminal for inspection by counterterrorism units. Authorities did not identify the airline or the flight’s original destination.
In Italy, two Ryanair flights, one from Lisbon and the other from Dublin, received alerts and were inspected at Rome Fiumicino Airport. Italian Air Force fighter jets were deployed to accompany one of the aircraft. No device was found.
The incidents followed another recent alert. On Monday, Nov. 2, a Wizz Air flight traveling from London to Sofia was diverted to Budapest, Hungary, after receiving a threat. Hungarian fighter jets escorted the aircraft to landing. Authorities have not confirmed whether the cases are connected or identified who made the threats. Airports and airlines have strengthened security procedures in response to the sequence of alerts.
