Bomb threats trigger fresh flight diversions across Europe for second time this week

Several passenger flights across Europe were diverted or subjected to security checks on Thursday following a fresh wave of bomb threats, disrupting air travel for the second time this week. Aircraft operated by Aer Lingus, Wizz Air, LOT Polish Airlines and Ryanair were among those affected, while Bulgarian authorities reported three additional emergency landings.

The latest incidents came just two days after multiple flights across Europe received suspected hoax bomb threats on Tuesday, triggering aircraft searches, diversions and the temporary closure of an airport in Poland.

Aer Lingus flight diverted to French military air base

The first reported incident on Thursday involved an Aer Lingus Airbus A320 flying from Dublin to Rome. The aircraft was diverted to the Évreux-Fauville air base in Normandy, western France, after a bomb alert was received.

The plane, carrying 151 passengers and six crew members, landed safely. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's office said all those on board were safe and military bomb disposal teams were examining the aircraft.

The Prime Minister's office said the government was monitoring the situation closely and following developments in real time. No further details about the threat were immediately released.

According to flight-tracking data cited by the Associated Press, the aircraft was approaching Paris when it sharply changed course, circled several times and then headed towards Évreux.

Wizz Air, LOT and Ryanair flights also affected

A Wizz Air aircraft travelling from Milan to Warsaw was diverted to Vienna after a threat was received during the flight, an airline spokesperson said, according to the Associated Press.

A LOT Polish Airlines flight from Warsaw to Paris was stopped while taxiing and moved to a parking stand for a security inspection, Bulgarian authorities said in an emailed statement. No hazardous items were found during the check.

Bulgarian authorities also reported three other aircraft making emergency landings at airports in the country following bomb threats. Two flights, arriving from Copenhagen and Madrid, landed in Sofia, according to local broadcaster bTV, citing the interior minister, and NOVA TV, citing the transport minister. A third aircraft travelling from London landed in Plovdiv.

Further reports identified the aircraft from Copenhagen and Madrid as Ryanair services, while the London flight was also reported to have been operated by the airline. The incidents prompted security checks, although no immediate reports indicated that any explosives had been found.

A Finnair flight from Helsinki to Rome was also escorted by Italian Air Force fighter jets to its scheduled landing after an in-flight warning, according to reports.

Tuesday's bomb threats disrupted flights across Europe

The latest alerts followed a series of bomb threats on Tuesday, when around 10 European flights were reportedly targeted. The incidents prompted aircraft searches, diversions and security checks across several countries.

The airlines affected included LOT Polish Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Wizz Air and Ryanair. The Irish budget carrier appeared to be among the worst hit, with four of its flights to different destinations reportedly targeted.

In one incident, Italian Air Force fighter jets escorted a Ryanair flight from Dublin to Rome after a suspected threat was reported on board. The aircraft landed safely and underwent security checks.

A Ryanair flight from Manchester to Murcia in Spain was also subjected to an emergency security procedure after a bomb alert. Passengers and crew were checked, while security personnel searched the aircraft.

Other incidents involved flights travelling to Warsaw and Sofia. A Scandinavian Airlines flight from Copenhagen landed at Warsaw Chopin Airport and was inspected, while a LOT flight from London's Heathrow Airport was diverted to Warsaw-Modlin. The airport was briefly closed before normal operations resumed.

Flights operated by Wizz Air and Ryanair arriving in Sofia were also inspected after threats were reported. Searches across the affected aircraft found no explosives or hazardous devices, and no injuries were reported.

London's Metropolitan Police confirmed that it had been made aware of threats against four aircraft due to depart from or arrive at Heathrow Airport on Tuesday. The warnings triggered security checks at one of Europe's busiest aviation hubs.

The incidents came a day after a Wizz Air flight travelling from London to Sofia was diverted to Budapest, Hungary, following a similar bomb threat while airborne. A Hungarian Gripen fighter jet was scrambled to escort the aircraft to the airport.

Authorities investigate suspected hoax threats

Despite the widespread disruption, searches of the aircraft involved in Tuesday's incidents did not uncover explosives. All the planes landed safely, although the alerts prompted precautionary measures at several airports.

The UK government described the earlier threats as malicious hoaxes, while European authorities said investigations were under way. No country or group has been publicly identified as responsible for the incidents.

The latest wave of warnings has also drawn attention because it comes amid wider concerns about possible hybrid threats and disruptions across Europe. However, authorities have not established a connection between the bomb alerts and other reported incidents, and there is no confirmed attribution for the threats.