Austrian Airlines flight from Tel Aviv makes emergency landing in Bulgaria after bomb threat

An Austrian Airlines flight from Tel Aviv to Vienna made an emergency landing in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Sunday after a bomb threat was reported. The Airbus A320 landed safely with 51 passengers and six crew members aboard, according to Bulgarian authorities.

Emergency Diversion and Escort

The aircraft was diverted to Sofia at 9:25 p.m., according to data from air tracker Flightradar24. The flight, identified as Austrian Airlines 82, had left Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv on Sunday evening and landed at Vasil Levski airport in Sofia three hours later.

Data from the flight-tracking platform ADS-B Exchange showed that the flight transmitted a squawk code 7700, a signal for a general emergency, around the time it was diverted. A Bulgarian MiG-29 fighter jet was scrambled to escort the airliner, the Bulgarian transport ministry said.

"During the flight, on the border with Romania, the crew reported a bomb threat signal and decided to land in Sofia extraordinarily," the Bulgarian transport ministry said in a statement.

Security Search and Passenger Handling

Following the evacuation of passengers after landing, a security search of the plane was launched. Austrian Airlines confirmed in a statement quoted by Austrian news agency APA that the search was underway.

"Once the search of the aircraft is complete, the passengers will be rebooked onto alternative flights as quickly as possible," the airline said.

No injuries have been reported, and an investigation has begun. Austrian Airlines has confirmed a threat was made, without giving further details. A spokesperson told the AFP news agency there were 51 passengers and six crew members on board the jet.

Recent Aviation Incidents

This incident follows other recent aviation security events in the region. Last month, the co-pilot of a Flydubai flight was suspected of attacking his pilot in the cockpit and attempting to hijack the plane and crash it intentionally in Israel. The crew and passengers overpowered him, and the plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia.

Additionally, last week, an accidental hijacking alert from a commercial flight from Corfu in Greece to Nuremberg, Germany, caused both Croatia and Germany to scramble fighter jets.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the ongoing security protocols for flights in the region, including the rapid deployment of military escorts and emergency landing procedures. It also underscores the importance of accurate communication between flight crews and air traffic control, as seen in the recent accidental hijacking alert that triggered fighter jet responses in two countries.

---

Sources

• dw.com: Flight from Tel Aviv makes emergency stop after bomb threat
• bbc.com: Bomb threat forces Tel Aviv to Vienna flight to land in Bulgaria

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.