25 bomb threats rock international flights; Israeli passenger recalls harrowing landing

Multiple European flights were affected on Thursday as bomb threats prompted security responses across the continent, with at least 25 flights diverted or landed under escort. One KLM flight bound for Israel was diverted to Bucharest after a threat, according to Romania’s intelligence service.

An Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome was diverted to a French military base near Paris after airspace restrictions and a bomb-threat claim. The flight, carrying 151 passengers and six crew, was escorted by fighter jets and eventually landed at a military airfield before passengers were later moved to Charles de Gaulle for onward travel.

Passengers on the Aer Lingus EI402 described a tense sequence, including multiple aborted landings and confirmation of a bomb threat. The aircraft later landed at the Normandy air base, where security and emergency services coordinated inspections and disembarkation.

Upon arrival at the air base, passengers were kept in a designated area while security teams conducted checks, including sniffer dogs and inspections of luggage. Medical, firefighting, and psychological support were reported to be on standby, with arrangements made to transport travelers to Paris for onward travel.

Other incidents involved flights from Warsaw to Brussels and Paris, with security alerts leading to diversions or aircraft changes. Polish airline LOT stated that a threat was not substantiated in one case, while another LOT flight to Paris paused taxiing and transferred passengers to a different aircraft as a precaution.

Flight-tracking data indicated an emergency code was issued for the Aer Lingus flight while over France, signaling a general in-flight emergency. French authorities and the national prosecutor opened inquiries into some aspects of the handling and coordination during the incidents.