What do we know (and what we don't) so far - explainer
If you are only just joining us and what to catch up on what’s on earth is going on, here is our explainer on what do we know (and what we don’t) so far.
Updated
Four planes investigated in Prague confirmed to be from UK, Ireland, Greece
The four flights affected at Prague airport can now be confirmed as inbound flights from Athens, Dublin, Glasgow and Newcastle (11:16, 11:58).
A spokesperson for the Prague airport, Jiří Hannich, told the Guardian that “an anonymous threat was received concerning the possible presence of explosive devices on board selected flights” arriving to Prague.
“In accordance with the Airport Emergency Plan, the Security Operations Command Center was activated under the direction of the Police of the Czech Republic.
The aircraft landed safely in Prague and were directed to remote stands.
Following their arrival, the Police of the Czech Republic conducted security searches of the aircraft for explosives, all with negative results. All passengers safely disembarked from the aircraft and received their baggage once all necessary security measures had been completed.
The situation had no significant impact on other airport operations. The threat is currently under police investigation. For this reason, we are not in a position to provide any further details.”
Global airlines body condemns 'attempts to interrupt air transport,' urges authorities to 'find origins'
Global airlines body Iata has “condemned … attempts to interrupt air transport,” urging the relevant authorities to “find the origins of these hoax threats.”
“Safety is the number one priority for the industry and we take all threats seriously,” Iata’s senior vicepresident for operations, safety and security, Nick Careen said in a statement.
“Meanwhile passengers should be assured that aviation security measures will continue to ensure the highest levels of public safety,” he added.
Austrian defence ministry spokesperson Michael Bauer has confirmed that all affected flights in Austrian airspace were escorted by Eurofighters jets.
In a handy explainer, he said:
“What the Eurofighters can achieve in this scenario: They can observe the situation on site as the sole eyewitness and report any possible deviation from the flight path if the pilot has no radio connection.
If the aircraft is damaged but remains airworthy, the EF pilot can inspect the damage and provide assistance with information about the condition. Through visual contact with the pilot, they can at least support them in any case.”
In a separate post, he confirmed there were three affected flights, which checks out with our tally (11:01).
Second Aegean Airlines flight confirmed to be affected by 'baseless' bomb alarm
Aegean Airlines confirmed a second plane from its fleet was also affected by a hoax bomb alarm, Greek daily newspaper Kathimerini reported.
We previously reported about a threat reported against their Thessaloniki to Milan-Malpensa flight (12:17), but a statement quoted by the Greek media says that its Athens to Vienna service, flight number A3860, was also disrupted.
In both cases, the reports were confirmed to be “baseless.”
Third plane affected by false bomb alarm in Madrid confirmed
in Madrid
A spokesperson for Air Europa confirmed that one of their flights, flight number UX1027, which was scheduled to leave Madrid-Barajas for Paris at 8am local time today had also been affected by the hoax.
“A warning was received involving a flight from Madrid to Paris this morning,” she told the Guardian.
“The flight hadn’t taken off when the warning was received. All the relevant security protocols were activated for such cases. The plane was evacuated and checked, and it was found to be a false alarm. Passengers then re-boarded, the plane took off and landed in Paris without any problems.”
Further to reports on “not credible” threats against Heathrow and Birmingham (15:04), a spokesperson for Heathrow airport told the Guardian that the report was assessed through “a multi-agency response” and “deemed not credible.”
Here is the statement in full:
“Safety and security are our top priority. There are robust UK aviation security standards in place to assess and safely manage these types of situations.
Upon receiving the threat, a multi-agency response is initiated to assess the information and determine the response.
The threat received today was deemed not credible and there was no risk to passengers, colleagues or the aircraft at Heathrow.”
Defence and security editor
There remains no evidence that the hoaxes are being orchestrated by a hostile state or terror group, investigators said, although inquiries across Europe into the incidents continue.
Air Serbia confirms 'unfounded' threat against its Belgrade-Bucharest flight
Air Serbia has confirmed to the Guardian that a bomb threat against its aircraft was reported to relevant authorities at Bucharest Airport, when the plane was en route to Romania (15:25).
In a statement to the Guardian, the airline said:
“After landing, the matter was taken over by the relevant Romanian authorities, which carried out procedures in accordance with applicable security protocols.
Following the completion of all checks, the security threat was assessed as unfounded, after which the aircraft was returned to regular operational service.”
Iberia confirms two planes affected by false bomb alarms sent to Madrid airport
in Madrid
Spanish airline Iberia has just confirmed that two of its planes were among the three affected by false bomb alerts at Madrid airport (13:37).
The affected flights were IBE668 Milan – Madrid and IBE658 Rome – Madrid.
In a statement to the Guardian, the airline said:
“Iberia confirms that two of its aircraft were the subject of bomb threats this morning, which turned out to be false alarms.
The alerts were sent to Madrid-Barajas Airport and communicated to the captains of both flights, who proceeded to land in Madrid without any issues at around 10:00 a.m. today. Passengers disembarked without incident, in accordance with established security protocols.”
Air Serbia flight to Bucharest affected by bomb threat, airline says
Air Serbia has confirmed that one of its planes, a JU102 service from Belgrade, also received a bomb threat before safely landing in Bucharest, Reuters reported.
I will bring you more on this shortly.
Updated
Heathrow, Birmingham hit by 'not credible' threats this morning
The Press Association is reporting that two UK airports, Heathrow and Birmingham, received threats which were assessed as not credible, it is understood, as flights were diverted across Europe after a series of bomb alerts.
It is understood that operations at both UK airports have continued as normal, PA said.
A UK Government spokesperson said threats reported in the “early hours” of Thursday had been “resolved”.
“It’s right that authorities treat any potential threats seriously – the UK has one of the most robust aviation security systems in the world, with well-tested processes for dealing with any threats, as well as malicious hoaxes, like those we’ve seen this week.”
The Met’s Aviation Policing Command continues to monitor the situation and liaise with the relevant authorities.”
UK transport secretary Heidi Alexander earlier told broadcasters that she was aware of “malicious hoax threats” affecting “a small numbers of flights across Europe.”
Updated
The British Airline Pilots’ Association has issued a statement on reported bomb threats to commercial flights across Europe, explaining the what happens after an airline gets a bomb threat.
Joji Waites, BALPA Director of Flight Safety, Policy and Regulation, stressed that “aviation has historically been a target for bomb threats but the industry has well proved mechanisms for dealing with such threats.”
“When a threat to an aircraft has been notified to the airline the threat is passed to a team of assessors. These assessors use standard processes to grade the threat and decide whether the threat is Red (credible), Amber (partially credible) or Green (not credible). Amber is not considered an appropriate assessment if the plane is airborne.
If the threat is assessed as not credible staff on the plane will not be informed of it.
However, when a threat is assessed as credible (red or amber) the flight crew will be informed immediately and they will carry out company procedures for a credible bomb threat.”
Waites continued:
“From the moment the flight crew is notified of a credible bomb threat, commander of the aircraft – the captain - is in command and will make all the decisions, guided by the appropriate checklist, for the safety of their aircraft.
Usually if a plane is still on the tarmac that will mean an evacuation, and if it is in the air the priority will be to land the plane as soon and as safely as possible.
Pilots are highly trained and skilled professionals. Their expertise is invaluable in insuring passenger safety, and keeping aviation one of the safest forms of transport there is.”
in Rome
A source at Aeroporti di Roma (ADR), which manages the city’s two airports, confirmed Italian press reports that the hoax threats for the Helsinki-Rome and Dublin-Rome flights came from an anonymous email written in Italian with the subject heading “segnalazione minaccia” (“threat warning”).
The email was signed on behalf of “Fighters of the Male State” claiming to be targeting a “feminist regime” and wanting to make its “mark on history”.
The email, which was sent to ADR and affiliated businesses, also threatened to “turn the skies red” with explosions.
In an official statement, ADR said:
“The competent authorities are conducting the necessary investigations to establish the origin and circumstances of the threats, in accordance with established security protocols.
ADR Security played a key supporting role in managing both alerts, providing dedicated personnel to escort all vehicles operating beneath the aircraft, assist with baggage unloading operations, and carry out checks on both baggage and passengers.”
'Threats ruled out' after security forces carried checks on three flights at Madrid airport
While specific details regarding the three flights targeted in Madrid have not been disclosed, relevant security authorities have confirmed there is no active threat.
The airport’s press office confirmed to the Guardian only that:
“This morning, Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport received a bomb threat affecting three flights.
A security committee was convened under the coordination of the State Security Forces. Following an assessment and the relevant checks carried out by the security forces, the threats were ruled out.”
Experts say multiplicity of hoax alerts point to coordinated action - snap analysis
Transport correspondent
Aviation experts say fake threats occur daily but the multiplicity of threats adjudged to be more credible, even if malicious hoaxes, appears to point to coordinated action.
Former airline pilot Captain Martin Drake, a technical advisor to the Balpa union, said airlines have security teams who assess each threat on a traffic light scale: green to keep going or red to be grounded, with an amber option only for flights yet to take off, allowing tighter checks and searches of the plane before clearing it to fly.
“If you want to deliberately disrupt a flight, then you need to do so once it’s airborne,” said Drake. A pilot will have a QRH – a quick response handbook – whose instructions will likely include to descend quickly as well as divert to the nearest airport on receipt of a red alert. At cruising altitude, “aircraft pressurisation would do a lot of the work of any improvised explosive device.”
Diversions are expensive as well as highly disruptive, but airlines have little choice in the face of any remotely credible threat.
The ready availability of airline operations information on the internet means that any hoaxer now has a level of detail about the schedules, the type of plane and its technical specifications that would have eluded all but insiders decades ago.
Rhys Jones, an analyst at Osprey Flight Solutions, an aviation intelligence firm, said the confidence of airlines in European airport security should not mean any change to normal protocols after the hoaxes, but “one of the natural responses will be to see double-downed security, media coverage and public concern about travelling”.
He said the threats seemed linked but “a reasonably chaotic campaign with no particular region targeted”, and while it could weaken future security responses through the normalisation of threats, simply creating disruption could be regarded as a success by those hoaxing airlines.
Updated
'Too early' to say if flight bomb threats are linked, EU commissioner says
EU transport commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas has said that it is “too early to draw conclusions on whether the reported incidents are linked,” as he stressed that “any threats against civilians are unacceptable.”
“Ensuring the safety and security of citizens remains a priority,” he said.
He added:
“We are closely monitoring the situation and are in contact with the affected Member States and the European Aviation Safety Agency.
I have asked the national authorities, that have the responsibility for assessing security threats, investigating incidents and implementing appropriate aviation security measures, to cooperate closely with airport operators, airlines and law enforcement authorities.”
Three flights affected by hoax bomb threats in Madrid, authorities say
Three flights were affected by hoax bomb threats at Madrid’s airport on Thursday morning, Spanish authorities said, adding that security forces had ruled out any risk, Reuters reported.
We do not have further data on the three affected flights at the moment.
in Rome
The Italian news agency Ansa, citing police sources, said the warning for the Helsinki-Rome and Dublin-Rome flights came from an anonymous email written in Italian and sent to the Rome airport company, ADR, and other affiliated companies, early on Thursday.
The subject heading was “segnalazione minaccia” (“threat warning”).
Several planes are currently in hold circling above Warsaw Okęcie airport, including PLL LOT flights from Dusseldorf, Stockholm and Toronto.
Keeping an eye on that for you.
Could very well be nothing, but there is understandable concern given today’s alerts across Europe.
Updated
Have you been affected by the bomb threats to flights in Europe?
We’d like to hear from passengers and airline staff caught up in the disruptions caused by a series of bomb threats to commercial flights.
Are you on one of the affected flights or has your journey disrupted? What happened, and how did you feel? What information were you given by the airline or authorities, and how was the situation handled?
Let us know:
No threat confirmed after reported threat against WizzAir flight to Bucharest
Two more bomb threats reported against Milan-bound planes
Meanwhile, two more bomb threats were reported against planes flying to Milan’s Malpensa airport.
The planes affected were identified by Italian news agency ANSA as A3552 Aegean Airlines from Thessaloniki and FR8953 Ryanair flight from Porto.
Both landed safely and are being checked by authorities.
That brings the total number of planes affected this morning to 15 (so far).
Updated
'No issues identified' at three Ryanair flights to Bulgaria, ministry confirms
All three planes that landed at Bulgarian airports following bomb threats have been cleared by the authorities with no threat confirmed, the transport ministry has said.
In a statement to the Guardian, the ministry said:
“Following a bomb threat, established security procedures were activated in relation to three Ryanair aircraft operating scheduled flights to Sofia from Madrid, Copenhagen and London.
The flight crews and the airline decided that the flights from Madrid and Copenhagen would continue to Sofia Airport, while the flight from London was diverted to Plovdiv Airport.
Upon landing, the necessary inspections were carried out in accordance with the applicable procedures and no issues were identified.
The airline is arranging transportation for passengers from Plovdiv to Sofia.
Airport operations at both Sofia Airport and Plovdiv Airport have returned to normal.”
Aer Lingus confirms diversion to France as 'security precaution'
And we are now hearing from Aer Lingus too, on its EI402 from Dublin to Rome which was diverted to a French base in Normandy this morning.
It said the diversion was “a security precaution”.
“The flight landed safely and Aer Lingus will work to reaccommodate customers to their final destination as soon as possible,” the airline said.
Rome checks 'with negative results,' airport operations not affected
Similarly, the company behind Rome’s Fiumicino airport confirmed that no threat was confirmed following its investigation into a bomb alert against a FinnAir plane flying to the Italian capital (10:52).
“All verification and clearance operations were completed with negative results, with no impact whatsoever on the airport’s normal operations,” airport operator ADR said in a statement.
No explosives found on four planes in Prague, police says, with counter-terror, cybercrime unit investigating
Meanwhile, no explosives were found on four planes which had received bomb threats before landing in Prague, Czech police confirmed.
“Security measures at Prague Airport have just ended, with pyrotechnic inspections yielding negative results.
The investigation of the threats has been taken over by NCTEKK, and currently no further information can be provided.”
NCTEKK is the National Center Against Terrorism, Extremism, and Cybercrime of the Czech police.
FinnAir confirms two 'unfounded or hoax bomb threats' against its planes
Meanwhile, FinnAir confirmed that two of its airplanes were affected today.
In a statement to the Guardian, the airline confirmed AY1761 from Helsinki to Rome with 144 passengers and seven crew (10:52) and AY1471 from Helsinki to Vienna with 177 passengers and six crew (11:06) “have faced unfounded or hoax bomb threats today.”
“Both flights have landed safely at their destinations, and customers have disembarked the aircraft.”
It continued that “a clear process” was in place to inspect all reported threats.
“Unfortunately, air traffic is sometimes subject to threats, as we have seen this week, when also other airlines in Europe have faced hoax bomb threats. Threats are almost always unfounded.
Aviation safety is our top priority and we take every potential threat very seriously, assessing each situation carefully and also working with local authorities.”
Another WizzAir flight reportedly affected in Romania
Another WizzAir flight was also reportedly affected, this time from Milan-Malpensa to Bucharest in Romania, according to Romanian media quoting the country’s intelligence services.
Flight number W43064 landed safely in the Romanian capital with 182 passengers and seven crew on board and is being inspected by security authorities, a CNN-affiliate station Antena3 and Adevarul reported.
Wizz Air confirms Milan-Warsaw flight affected, says 'not the only airline targeted'
Wizz Air has confirmed that its Milan Malpensa – Warsaw flight has been diverted to Vienna after “a bomb threat received during the flight” (10:52).
“The diversion was initiated in accordance with established security protocols and procedures, with the safety of passengers and crew as the highest priority,” it said.
The airline added:
“This incident comes amid a series of similar bomb threats affecting several airlines across Europe in recent days. Wizz Air is not the only airline targeted, with other carriers also experiencing threats resulting in flight diversions and security checks.
Wizz Air is cooperating fully with the relevant authorities and is taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of everyone on board. The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority.”
LOT Polish Airlines confirms 'no suspicious items found' after earlier bomb threat
Meanwhile, LOT Polish Airlines has confirmed the incident involving their plane earlier today (10:48) – but said the reported threat was not confirmed.
In a statement sent to the Guardian, the airline said:
“After receiving information about a potential threat to the safety of flight LO235 from Warsaw to Brussels, the flight crew was informed of the situation and conducted an onboard inspection in accordance with applicable procedures. No suspicious items were found.
The plane landed at Brussels Airport, where the authorities carried out an additional inspection of the aircraft, which also did not reveal the presence of any dangerous or suspicious items.”
Updated
Bomb threats reported against four planes heading to Prague
The Czech police has just confirmed that it received reports of “an improvised explosive device” against four planes heading to Prague.
“We are preparing … for their landing. We assess the credibility of threats as low,” it said.
“We do not underestimate the threat, which is why all necessary security measures have been activated with the least possible impact on passengers and airport operations. Upon landing, pyrotechnic inspections will be conducted on all aircraft.”
Second threat against FinnAir's flight today
Another threat was also made against FinnAir’s flight AY 1471 from Helsinki to Vienna, the airline’s spokesperson confirmed to Reuters.
The plane landed safely in the Austrian capital.
All planes affected by bomb threats this morning
Here is a summary of all planes reportedly affected by bomb threats this morning – with the tally currently at 20:
EI-DEH Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome, diverted to Evreux, France (9:55, 10:07, 10:25)
FR6410 Ryanair flight from Madrid to Sofia (10:45)
FR3606 Ryanair flight from Copenhagen to Sofia (10:45)
FR1730 Ryanair flight from London Stansted to Sofia, diverted to Plovdiv, Bulgaria (10:45)
LO235 LOT Polish Airlines flight from Warsaw to Brussels (10:48)
W46387 WizzAir flight from Milan Malpensa to Warsaw-Okęcie, diverted to Vienna, Austria (10:52)
AY1761 FinnAir flight from Helsinki to Rome Fiumicino (10:52).
AY 1471 FinnAir flight from Helsinki to Vienna (11:06).
U23179 easyJet flight from Glasgow to Prague (11:16, 17:00).
U25629 easyJet flight from Newcastle to Prague (11:16, 17:00).
GQ750 Sky Express flight from Athens to Prague (11:16, 17:00).
W43064 WizzAir flight from Milan-Malpensa to Bucharest (11:50).
A3552 Aegean Airlines flight from Thessaloniki to Milan-Malpensa (12:17).
FR8953 Ryanair flight from Porto to Milan-Malpensa (12:17).
IBE668 Iberia flight from Milan to Madrid (15:33)
IBE658 Iberia flight from Rome to Madrid (15:33)
UX1027 Air Europa flight from Madrid to Paris (13:37, 16:15).
JU102 Air Serbia flight from Belgrade to Bucharest (15:25, 15:54).
A3860 Aegean Airlines flight from Athens to Vienna (16:38)
Post last updated at 17:02 CET with the latest tally
Updated
Two more planes affected by bomb threats, Italian media report
And the Italian news agency Ansa reported that two more planes with links to Italy were affected by bomb threats this morning: that’s a WizzAir service from Milan Malpensa to Warsaw, which reportedly landed in Vienna, and a Finnair flight from Helsinki to Rome Fiumicino.
Updated
Bomb threat reported against Polish plane flying to Brussels
Belgian newspaper Le Soir also reported a bomb threat against a LOT Polish Airline flight from Warsaw, which now landed at Zaventem.
The airport’s spokesperson confirmed to Le Soir it received a “suspicious report concerning a flight to Brussels Airport.”
The airport’s arrival board suggests its LO235 which left Warsaw this morning.
Bomb threats reported against three planes flying to Bulgaria
Meanwhile, Bulgarian public broadcaster BNT is reporting up to three incidents involving bomb threats against planes in the Bulgarian airspace.
Two of the planes – from Copenhagen and Madrid – landed in Sofia. The third one, from London Stansted, has been diverted to Plovdiv airport.
All three are Ryanair flights, BNT said.
I will keep an eye for more details.
This morning’s incident will once again raise questions as to whether there is any coordination behind the bomb warnings in recent days.
Four out of eight incidents in the last few days targeted planes flying to or from Italy: three to Rome – two from Dublin and one from Lisbon, and one from Milan Bergamo.
Updated
Bomb squad in place to inspect plane with passengers, crew moved to safe place, France says
The French PM’s office has just confirmed the plane landed safely at Evreux with a bomb squad unit in place to inspect the aircraft.
151 passengers and six crew on board were moved to a safe place, it said.
Le Figaro is reporting the plane was escorted on approach by a French Rafale fighter jet.
BFMTV says the original bomb threat alert came from the Italian authorities.
Updated
Diverted flight to Rome lands in French military base after bomb threat
The plane appears to have just touched down in Evreux, according to Flightradar24’s tracking service.
We will no doubt hear more from authorities in due course.
Earlier this week, seven planes across Europe were searched or diverted after a series of bomb threats were made to passenger flights.
The alarms affected flights operated by LOT Polish Airlines, SAS, WizzAir, and Ryanair.
Two of the flights also involved Rome Fiumicino airport, amid broader false bomb alarms in the country, which also affected 280 schools.
Flightradar24, one of the largest flight tracker websites in the world, also said that “no aircraft have departed from Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) in the past 30 minutes.”
The plane crossed the English Channel on a normal flight path to Rome before veering south-west of Paris and circling Chartres airport and diverting towards Évreux.
Curiously, in the last few minutes it flew right past the airport in Évreux without touching down.
You can follow its flight path here.
Morning opening: Another bomb alert on a European flight
An Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome has been diverted to a major military base in Evreux in France after a bomb alert, the French prime minister’s office said.
The PM’s office said the government was “monitoring the situation closely.”
The flight, EIN40G, is operated by an Airbus A320. It’s currently circling above France and should start its descent to Evreux shortly.
The incident comes just two days after seven planes across Europe were searched or diverted after malicious hoax bomb alerts.
I will keep an eye on this for you.
It’s Thursday, 5 November 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
