At least 27 commercial flights in Europe faced bomb threats, causing widespread disruption for thousands of passengers and raising concerns about travel on the continent, according to reports. While authorities reported no explosives were discovered on any of the jets and the incidents appeared to be hoaxes, the growing number of European flight bomb threats added to a fast-growing wave of similar alerts this week.
Key points
- At least 27 commercial flights in Europe were hit by bomb threats on Thursday.
- British authorities and other officials confirmed the alerts appeared to be hoaxes with no explosives found.
- The incidents followed earlier threats to about seven flights earlier in the week.
- Experts and officials noted the cluster of alerts raised concerns about coordinated disruptions.
How did the flight threats unfold?
British authorities initially dismissed threats to about seven flights earlier in the week, but the number of impacted journeys soared to at least 27 on Thursday. At least two more flights, alongside several Irish and British news outlets, received similar messages on Friday. Some of the warnings were sent to airlines by email, though the full nature of all messages has not been confirmed.
The security alerts prompted aircraft searches, diversions, and in at least one other case an escort by an Italian fighter jet. One flight was diverted to a military base in France. Under an international aviation convention in place for more than 80 years, the pilot in command holds final authority over safety, and airlines take all warnings seriously because business consequences of ignoring them would be prohibitive.
What do experts say about the incidents?
Air transport security expert Paul Mason told the BBC that threats to passenger planes do not happen frequently, making the spate of incidents unusual. “It sounds like they’ve been made in a credible manner across a broad range of airlines,” Mason said, adding that “that would suggest to me that it’s been a very deliberate act by a typical actor rather than a load of coincidental, malicious calls.”
David Kaminski-Morrow, an air transport editor with FlightGlobal, declined to speculate on who might be behind the alerts but noted that the aviation sector currently operates in a political climate where disruption tactics are common. “The cluster of threats seems unusual, but it’s hard to determine the extent to which they might be organized,” he said, adding that publicity alone could spur further unrelated warnings.
Where views differ
- Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares stated that Europe appeared to be facing hybrid aggression and psychological warfare.
- Irish Member of the European Parliament Barry Andrews pointed to the diverted flights and other hybrid incidents, asking on social media whether anyone still denied Ireland faced serious security threats.
Why it matters
The surge in aviation alerts coincides with rising concern across Europe regarding state-backed sabotage operations and hybrid warfare tactics aimed at undermining regional security. Security officials have warned of evolving threats targeting businesses, communities, and transportation infrastructure across the continent.
Frequently asked questions
Why are European flights receiving bomb threats?
While no group has claimed responsibility and no authorities have confirmed a direct link, experts note the cluster of alerts suggests a deliberate act to cause disruption during a time of heightened political aggression in Europe.
Were any explosives found on the planes?
Authorities reported that no explosives were discovered on any of the targeted jets, and all the incidents appeared to be malicious hoaxes.
