Multiple European flights and cruise ship targeted by hoax bomb threats

A series of bomb threats targeting passenger aircraft caused widespread disruption to air travel across Europe. At least 18 flights were reportedly impacted by threats across the continent, according to reports from the BBC.

Flight Disruptions and Military Escorts

On Thursday, several flights were affected by threats, including an Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome which was diverted to France's Evreux airbase. The airline stated the flight was diverted "as a security precaution" and that it landed safely.

In Italy, the Italian Air Force scrambled military Eurofighter jets to intercept and escort a Ryanair flight from Dublin to Rome's Fiumicino Airport. Other flights impacted on Thursday included:

• An Aegean Airlines flight from Thessaloniki to Milan, which landed in Milan.
• Two Finnair flights from Helsinki, one landing in Rome and one in Vienna.
• A Wizz Air flight from Milan to Bucharest, which landed safely.
• A Wizz Air flight from Milan to Warsaw, which diverted to Vienna.
• A LOT Polish Airlines flight from Warsaw to Brussels, which landed as planned.
• A Ryanair flight from Copenhagen to Sofia, which landed in Sofia.
• A Ryanair flight from Madrid to Sofia, which landed in Sofia.
• A Ryanair flight from London Stansted to Sofia, which diverted to Plovdiv.

Czech police reported receiving bomb threats on four flights to Prague, all of which landed in Prague with no explosives found. These flights departed from Greece, Ireland, and two from the UK.

Previous Incidents and Maritime Threat

These incidents follow a series of threats earlier in the week. On Tuesday, at least seven flights were targeted, including two from the UK and two Ryanair flights from Dublin and Lisbon that were searched in Rome. On Monday, a Wizz Air flight from London Luton Airport to Sofia was diverted to Budapest after a mid-air bomb threat, prompting Hungarian Gripen fighter jets to guide the aircraft to a safe landing, according to Hungarian Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky.

In addition to aviation, a bomb threat targeted the Panama-flagged Crown Iris cruise ship near the Greek island of Syros. An unknown person reported that an explosive device had been attached to the vessel's hull. An explosives detection dog and a diver searched the vessel, and initial inspections found no explosives.

Investigations and Expert Analysis

UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described the incidents as "malicious hoax threats." EU transport commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas said, "Any threats against civilians are unacceptable."

Rhys Jones, analysis output manager at aviation risk advisory firm Osprey Flight Solutions, said that receiving seven confirmed bomb threats in a single day was exceptional. Jones told Reuters, "The lack of clear target state, airline, or route indicates that general disruption to aviation operations is the aim."

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Sources

• bbc.com: Plane bomb threats: Multiple flights in Europe hit by 'malicious hoax threats' - UK minister - BBC News
• aol.com: Multiple European flights targeted by bomb threats for second time this week - AOL
• sofx.com: Hoax Bomb Threats Target Several Passenger Flights Across Europe | SOFX
• rtvonline.com: Bomb Threats on Multiple Flights Disrupt Air Travel Across Europe
• irishexaminer.com: Dublin Ryanair flights targeted as bomb threats hit airports across Europe
• thenews.com.pk: Wave of hoax bomb threats disrupts flights across Europe, triggering scrambled jets and airport closures

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