Bomb threats caused the disruption of at least twelve commercial flights in various European countries. These flights were forced to make unscheduled landings or were put on alert in Austria, France, Italy, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Spain, Serbia, and Bulgaria due to security threats.
Emergency landings following threats
Flights in Ivorax, France, Vienna, Austria, and Bulgaria made emergency landings due to bomb threats. One flight from Finland to Rome landed safely but with military escort. Other flights also landed at their planned destinations, but while the security situation was under close monitoring.
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More details and reactions
This incident was first reported in France, followed by similar reports from other countries. These threats occurred after a series of bomb threats made earlier this week against several European flights. The threats on Tuesday were ultimately identified as a hoax, and initial information indicates no dangerous materials were involved in the threats made on Thursday.
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the European Union Commissioner for Transport and Tourism, wrote on social media that any threat against civilians is unacceptable. He also noted that it is still too early to conclude whether these incidents are related, and national investigations are ongoing.
Reports of diversions and bomb threats emerged throughout the day, especially late in the morning. An Airbus A320 was diverted to the Ivorax airbase west of Paris due to a bomb threat. The French Prime Minister's office, Sébastien Lecornu, announced the incident on Thursday and stated that the situation is being monitored "live."
The mentioned flight was en route from Dublin, Ireland, to the Italian capital, Rome. Tracking websites showed that the aircraft had deviated significantly from its course and was heading towards an isolated airport in Ivorax. The French Air Force stated that it dispatched its aircraft as soon as the incident was reported.
These threats targeted various airlines, including LOT Polish Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Wizz Air, and Ryanair. While it is still unclear whether there is a connection between these incidents, the disruptions in air transport coincided with a series of apparently coordinated cyberattacks targeting freezer units in major supermarkets and even blood banks in France.
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