Hoax bomb threats affect at least 20 European flights within hours

At least 20 commercial flights in Europe were affected by bomb threats on Thursday, with authorities reporting no explosives found and the incidents described as hoaxes by several officials. The disruptions occurred across multiple countries, including flights diverted to military bases and others escorted or checked by security teams.

The incidents involved a range of carriers and routes, with reports citing Aer Lingus, Finnair, Wizz Air, Polish Airlines LOT, Ryanair, Iberia, Air Europa, Air Serbia, and EasyJet among those affected. Several flights were diverted or redirected, while some completed their journeys after security checks found nothing dangerous.

France confirmed at least one flight diverted to a western air base for examination, and Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport halted arrivals briefly during checks. Other flights were diverted or landed safely after thorough security inspections in cities such as Vienna, Prague, and Madrid, with no hazardous items discovered on the aircraft.

Officials described the wave of threats as unusual and potentially coordinated, noting that the scale and timing point to a deliberate act aimed at disrupting European travel. Experts emphasized the difficulty of attributing responsibility and acknowledged the possibility of broader strategic aims behind the so-called hoaxes.

Security and aviation authorities stressed that final authority over safety rests with the pilot in command, and that airlines must treat every threat seriously due to potential business and safety consequences. No confirmed links between threats were announced, but the episodes prompted heightened scrutiny and ongoing investigations across the affected networks.