The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
No bomb on Wizz Air plane diverted to Budapest, passengers now in Sofia
A Wizz Air flight from London made an emergency landing in Budapest with a fighter jet escort after a threat sent by email. The passengers have since reached Sofia.
Passengers aboard Wizz Air flight W64302 from London Luton to Sofia diverted to Budapest after a bomb threat was received by unspecified recipients, according to statements from Hungarian authorities. The aircraft later proceeded to Sofia, with most on board identified as Bulgarians.
The plane deviated from its original route and landed in Budapest, where a Hungarian Gripen fighter jet escorted the aircraft into Hungarian airspace and observed the situation. Authorities conducted security measures upon arrival, including passenger scanning and processing in a terminal area.
The threat originated in an email claim attributed to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, alleging the flight would be blown up. The message was linked to the address of a private Christian boarding school in Rwanda; its authenticity and origin have not been established in the material provided.
Wizz Air stated that no explosive device was found on board after the aircraft was searched. Passengers were provided food and water during the evacuation, and the airline noted that procedures were followed to ensure safe handling and swift processing of those on the aircraft.
Bulgarian authorities and industry representatives indicated that such incidents trigger standard security protocols, including a fighter jet escort and emergency response measures. The situation was described as costly and potentially connected to broader concerns about hybrid warfare and false bomb threats affecting aviation.