European flights diverted after new bomb threats
Aer Lingus, Finnair, and Czech authorities confirmed inspections found no suspicious items on targeted aircraft.
By Luana Sato ·
Dozens of passengers across Europe waited on tarmacs and in terminals on Thursday as airlines rerouted planes following a fresh wave of bomb threats. Authorities confirmed that more than a dozen flights from cities including Milan, Warsaw, and Dublin were targeted. Initial inspections have not yet revealed any hazardous materials.
The disruptions follow similar hoax threats earlier in the week, which prompted security searches and, in one instance, a military escort for a diverted aircraft. The current incidents add to a list of recent disruptions in the region, which has seen drone incursions and attacks on supermarket refrigeration systems.
An Aer Lingus plane traveling from Dublin to Rome was rerouted to a military air base in Evreux, western France. The aircraft sits on the tarmac under an overcast sky, surrounded by metal gates. A Red Cross vehicle is parked nearby, but no activity is visible at the base of the plane. It is not clear where the passengers and crew are being held while explosives experts examine the aircraft.
Finnair reported that two of its flights faced the threats. Flight AY1761 from Helsinki to Rome and flight AY1471 from Helsinki to Vienna both landed safely at their destinations. The airline stated that customers have disembarked and that nothing suspicious was found on either plane. The aircraft bound for Rome will return to Helsinki, while the Vienna flight will resume normal service after inspection.
In the Czech Republic, police deployed to Prague’s Vaclav Havel Airport to prepare for the landing of four planes. Authorities received threats of explosive devices on board those flights. Police announced that all necessary security measures were activated. Searches of the aircraft that landed in Prague found nothing suspicious. Officials did not specify where the four flights originated.
The threats align with a period of increased geopolitical tension and signs of disruption in Europe. The latest incidents involve specific routes from Copenhagen, Dublin, Helsinki, Madrid, Milan, and Warsaw. Airlines continue to process the targeted flights while security teams complete their checks.
