Bomb threats disrupt flights across Europe

A wave of false bomb threats targeting flights operated by several airlines from Ireland to Bulgaria caused tension and disruption across European airspace on Thursday morning, marking the second such incident this week.

At least 25 flights were affected. Several aircraft were forced to make emergency landings, while others were escorted to safety by fighter jets.

No country has so far directly blamed anyone for the threats. However, the incidents come at a time when many European officials are accusing Russia of carrying out acts of sabotage and “hybrid attacks” across the continent. Such operations are generally relatively inexpensive, easy to deny and less likely to trigger direct military confrontation.

Denmark, Poland and Romania, the three countries whose flights were disrupted on Thursday, have previously accused Russia of direct involvement in hostile activities. Germany also blamed Russia for an attack at Leipzig Airport in August.

The United Kingdom has accused Russia of similar activities in the past but recently pointed to possible Iranian links to an alleged plot targeting a US airbase on British soil. Both Russia and Iran have denied involvement in the incidents.

Eric Schouten, an expert with aviation security group Dami, said the countries whose airlines or airports had been affected by bomb threats and disruption were all on Ukraine’s side in the war between Ukraine and Russia. His remarks suggested that their support for Kyiv could be one reason they were being targeted.

“From a geopolitical or international political perspective, we must always keep ‘hybrid warfare’ in mind. That is what we are seeing with Russia now. They are attacking us from all directions without sending in troops directly — targeting railways, supermarkets and even blood banks. The energy sector, the internet and aviation are also among the targets,” Schouten said.

Bulgaria’s air force said its fighter jets had escorted three passenger aircraft in mid-air and helped them land safely.

Officials said two Ryanair flights from Copenhagen and Madrid to Sofia landed according to schedule. A third flight, travelling from London to Sofia, was diverted to Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second-largest city.

Spain’s Civil Guard said authorities received three bomb threats by email within less than 20 minutes after 9am on Thursday.

The threats concerned two outbound Air Europa flights from Madrid to Paris and four Iberia flights travelling to Spain from Rome and Milan. Some aircraft were held for searches or returned to parking areas, while passengers were asked to disembark.

Two easyJet flights from the United Kingdom, one from Ireland and another from Greece landed in Prague, the Czech capital, as scheduled despite receiving bomb threats. Czech police said the threats were considered unlikely to be credible.

A Finnair aircraft travelling from Helsinki to Rome was escorted by Italian Air Force fighter jets to its destination, a source familiar with the matter said. Rome airport authorities reported no disruption or damage to air traffic services as a result of the incident.

Finnair said another of its flights from Helsinki, operated by Jettime, landed normally in Vienna, Austria, despite receiving a bomb threat.

Italian news agency ANSA reported that two more aircraft landed safely in Milan after receiving threats.