European Airlines Divert 14 Flights After Bomb Threats Trigger Fighter Jet Escorts
French, Italian, and Bulgarian authorities deployed military aircraft to monitor commercial jets following a coordinated series of security alerts on Thursday.
By Ana Castro ·
At least 14 commercial flights across Europe altered their paths or made emergency landings on Thursday in response to a series of bomb threats. The incidents required the deployment of fighter jets from France, Italy, and Bulgaria to escort civilian aircraft and ensure passenger safety during the flights.
The disruptions affected routes connected to Warsaw, Milan, Copenhagen, Madrid, London, Dublin, and Helsinki. Authorities in the involved nations activated security protocols to screen the aircraft for explosive devices. While the specific origins of the threats remain under investigation, the coordinated nature of the alerts prompted an immediate military response in multiple airspace zones.
One of the most prominent incidents involved an Aer Lingus plane traveling from Dublin to Rome. After receiving a bomb threat, the aircraft diverted to the Évreux air base in Normandy, France. French authorities confirmed that the plane landed safely with 151 passengers and six crew members on board. Specialized bomb disposal teams inspected the aircraft while passengers underwent security checks following evacuation.
A separate incident involved a Finnair flight from Helsinki to Rome. Two Italian Air Force fighter jets escorted the civilian aircraft to Fiumicino Airport, where it completed its landing without incident. The military escort provided a visual and radar presence to monitor the flight during its final approach to the Italian capital.
Ryanair reported three additional threats targeting flights bound for Sofia, Bulgaria. The aircraft were departing from Madrid, Copenhagen, and London Stansted. Two of the planes arrived at Sofia airport, while the third diverted to Plovdiv. All three Ryanair jets received military escort as they transited Bulgarian airspace. Ground teams conducted inspections upon arrival at both airports.
Initial inspections of the affected aircraft did not reveal any explosives or hazardous materials. All passengers and crew members reported to be safe, and security teams did not identify suspicious items during their reviews. Investigators continue to examine the incidents to determine if there is a connection between the different threats and to identify the source of the warnings.
