Warsaw flight bomb threats: LOT, SAS and Modlin closure

A bomb threat disrupted air traffic related to Warsaw on 3 November 2026, affecting LOT Polish Airlines and SAS operations and prompting security procedures at Warsaw-area airports. Reports indicate a LOT flight from London Heathrow to Warsaw Chopin Airport was diverted to Warsaw-Modlin Airport after the threat and subsequently moved to a secure area for inspections, with passengers evacuated as a precaution. The Modlin inspection and security response led to the temporary suspension of operations at Modlin while authorities assessed the threat, according to KarloBag.eu and corroborated by Türkiye Today and خبرگزاری اطلس.

Another aviation response centered on a Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) flight from Copenhagen to Warsaw, which landed at Warsaw Chopin Airport for security investigations after receiving a bomb threat. Chopin Airport remained open during the security checks, and no explosives were reported found, with operations continuing once the screening concluded, as described by France 24 and Türkiye Today. The combined effect of the threats resulted in the temporary closure of at least one Warsaw airport, with all involved aircraft subsequently taking off or landing safely in European cities with no explosives detected, per France 24.

According to خبرگزاری اطلس, the incident involved a Boeing 737 MAX with 181 passengers aboard the LOT flight diverted from London to Warsaw to Modlin, where it was directed to a secure area while security forces conducted inspections. Passengers disembarked and were escorted to the arrivals hall for further checks, and Modlin Airport confirmed that operations would remain suspended until security investigations were finalized and the threat credibility verified. The report notes the threat prompted the temporary shutdown of Modlin and highlighted close coordination among defense, security teams, and airport operations.

Türkiye Today adds detail that the LOT aircraft was carrying about 3.7 tons of fuel at the time of landing at Modlin, and that security teams, including explosives units, began checks after the arrival. The same outlet confirms a separate bomb threat involving an SAS flight to Warsaw, with Chopin Airport handling the security response while keeping operations ongoing. This dual-threat scenario underscores parallel security responses at both Warsaw airports, with Modlin closing temporarily to conduct investigations and Chopin remaining operational during screening.

Ynetnews provides a focused account of the LOT diversion to Modlin, noting the 181 people on board and that passengers were evacuated and the aircraft moved to an isolated area for security screening. It also references a separate SAS threat from Copenhagen to Warsaw, with the destination airport at Chopin undergoing investigations while continuing regular operations. The report aligns with other outlets on the core facts: a London-origin LOT flight diverted to Modlin, an SAS flight diverted to Chopin, and no explosives found in either case.

Khaleej Times and Gulf News corroborate the broad pattern of bomb threats affecting multiple carriers and airports around Warsaw on the same day, stating that two separate threats targeted LOT and SAS flights and that both aircraft landed safely with no explosives detected. Khaleej Times emphasizes the threats’ impact on scheduling and gate operations, while Gulf News notes that the Polish authorities reported the threats and that bomb disposal teams and security personnel were engaged in thorough checks, with Modlin subsequently reopening after clearance.

Across the set of reports, the common thread is that a LOT flight from London Heathrow to Chopin was diverted to Modlin and 181 passengers were evacuated for security checks, with Modlin Station being placed under enhanced security while examinations were conducted. The SAS flight from Copenhagen to Warsaw landed at Chopin for security investigations, with Chopin remaining operational throughout the security response. All outlets agree on the absence of explosives after checks and the continuation of airport and airline operations once the security measures concluded.

Travel advisories were issued advising travelers to verify their airline status and confirm which Warsaw airport they would use before travelling, reflecting the broader disruption to Warsaw-area air traffic and the uncertainty surrounding gate assignments and schedules as security checks proceeded, according to KarloBag.eu. The event is framed as part of a wider series of bomb-threat alerts across Europe, with reports noting similar incidents in other countries, though specific local outcomes at those locations are not detailed in the supplied material.