Bomb threats this week targeted multiple flights in Europe, causing widespread disruptions. On November 5, 2026, air traffic at Milan International Airport resumed after security checks by bomb disposal experts.
Controversy Over Bomb Threats
The threats were sent daily from November 2 through anonymous calls and emails to officials. One Wizz Air flight from London to Bulgaria made an emergency landing in Budapest due to a bomb threat received mid-flight. The next day, at least seven other passenger flights were also targeted by threats, leading to emergency landings and searches on these flights.
Read more: Bomb threats against Irish media and European flights have increased
The targeted flights were connected to countries including Italy, Ireland, Spain, Bulgaria, and several others. Officials, including the UK Transport Secretary, described these threats as "fake" since no attacks occurred and all flights landed safely.
Consequences of the Threats
These threats were not just a joke and affected thousands. On Friday, an email was sent to several European news networks claiming that bombs had been planted in their buildings, leading to the evacuation of news centers including Sky News.
The European Union Transport Commissioner, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, strongly condemned these threats and stated that the EU's transport security information-sharing mechanisms had been activated. The Irish government also announced on Friday that these threats were likely a coordinated campaign to cause disruption.
Some experts describe these threats as part of hybrid warfare and psychological warfare. Spain's Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, called these threats "an attempt at hybrid aggression and psychological warfare." Meanwhile, Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, stated that what is being attacked are civilian infrastructures.
Experts warn that these threats may be designed to instill fear and disrupt transportation systems and people's daily lives. Bomb threats against airplanes have never been new, but their scale and frequency this week are unprecedented.
Read more: Leaders of five EU countries urged Brussels to quickly sign a power agreement with Britain · Heat in Europe claimed over 50,000 lives this summer
