At least 25 hoax bomb alerts hit European airlines on Friday, causing major travel disruptions and security checks. Fighter jets escorted several civilian flights after threats targeted planes across the continent. While many aircraft landed safely, authorities investigated the incidents. Officials said these alerts currently affect all of Europe today.
Flights and airports across Europe faced disruption and extra security checks on Friday after at least 25 hoax alerts targeted airlines, with fighter jets escorting some civilian aircraft
European aviation faced a wave of security scares on Friday, with bomb threats triggering alerts and additional security measures at airports in Rome, Sofia and Copenhagen. At least 25 hoax threats targeting airlines were reported across the continent.
Among the aircraft targeted were two flights bound for Bulgaria: Wizz Air's W64328 from Brussels and Ryanair's FR1730 from London Stansted. Both received emailed bomb threats but landed safely.
Another Wizz Air flight from Prague to Rome was diverted to Venice and landed there due to a bomb scare, an airport authority source said.
Hungary ordered fighter jets to escort the Brussels-Sofia flight through its airspace. Hungarian jets also accompanied civilian flights from Prague to Cyprus and to Romania.
Diversion to Venice
A WizzAir flight from Prague to Rome was diverted to Venice, where it landed on Friday because of a bomb scare.
Four fresh bomb threats were issued against aircraft flying over French territory. A statement from the French government said the planes had landed safely and that bomb disposal teams were carrying out inspections. French officials are working to determine the origin of the alerts, which it said "affect all of Europe".
Police in France said an investigation had been opened against an Aer Lingus plane after its pilot resisted calls to divert. The office of the French Prime Minister said an Airbus A320 flying from Dublin to Rome was diverted to the Evreux airbase in northern France on 5 November following a bomb alert, according to News UK.
Copenhagen airport on alert
Danish police said specialist teams were deployed at Copenhagen Airport after hostile intelligence was received about air traffic. Authorities said there was no immediate assessment that passengers were in danger. Airport operations were adjusted to include baggage re-screening, and a special security perimeter was set up.
Czech police formally cleared four aircraft that had landed at Vaclav Havel Airport on Thursday after getting bomb threats. A spokeswoman said the security inspections ended with no explosives or dangerous items found on board any of the planes.