20+ alerts in 3 days, from Dublin to Milan: European airlines targeted by bomb threats

At least 27 passenger flights across Europe were affected by bomb threats on Thursday, leading to emergency landings, flight diversions, military escorts and security checks at several airports. WizzAir aircraft at Vienna Airport after a Wizz Air flight from Milan to Warsaw was diverted to Vienna, and a Jettime-operated flight from Helsinki landed safely in Vienna after both received bomb threats, amid a series of similar threats affecting flights across Europe, in Schwechat near Vienna, Austria.

(REUTERS)The threats affected flights operated by airlines including Ryanair, Finnair, Wizz Air, Aer Lingus, Aegean Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Air Europa and Iberia. Several aircraft were diverted to other airports, while others were allowed to continue to their destinations after security checks.

All affected aircraft landed safely, and inspections carried out so far have found no explosives or suspicious materials. Authorities have described several of the alerts as hoaxes. More than 20 such alerts have been reported this week, although their source and motive remain unknown, AP reported.

Flights departing from or travelling to cities such as Copenhagen, Dublin, Helsinki, Madrid, Milan, Warsaw, Rome, Sofia and Vienna were among those targeted. ALSO READ | Flights diverted across Europe over bomb alerts, 3rd such incident this week Some aircraft were diverted to alternative airports, while others continued to their intended destinations after security checks.

Fighter jets from Italy, France and Bulgaria were also deployed to escort aircraft. Some of the major incidents reported on Thursday: ALSO READ | Ludhiana: Hoax bomb threat email puts district court complex on alert A separate threat was also reported against a flight to Warsaw that landed in Vienna.

Police inspected the aircraft and found nothing suspicious before it continued to its destination. ALSO READ | Several flights across Europe disrupted after receiving hoax bomb threats European authorities have said it is too early to establish whether all the threats are connected.

European Union transport commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas said the bloc was monitoring the incidents in coordination with national authorities. “Any threats against civilians are unacceptable. Ensuring the safety and security of citizens remains a priority,” he wrote on X.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and are in contact with the affected Member States and the European Aviation Safety Agency. The EU-level information sharing mechanism has been activated related to aviation security.” "I have asked the national authoritis 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," the statement read.

He added that it was “too early to draw conclusions on whether the reported incidents are linked.” Britain's transport secretary Heidi Alexander described the incidents as "malicious hoax threats". She said a small number of flights across Europe had been disrupted and that established procedures were in place to deal with such threats, as per AFP.

Airlines said they followed security protocols and worked with local authorities to ensure passenger safety. Recent incidents in Europe have included suspected attacks on supermarket refrigeration systems, drone incursions and false emergency alerts sent through mobile apps.

European security officials have also warned about an increase in activities such as sabotage, cyberattacks, espionage and drone-related incidents. On Tuesday, 10 flights across Europe received bomb threats, all of which were later found to be hoaxes, AP reported.

The alerts led to aircraft inspections, diversions and the temporary closure of an airport in Warsaw. Italian fighter jets were also deployed to escort an aircraft. On Monday, a Wizz Air flight travelling from London's Luton Airport to Sofia was diverted to Budapest, Hungary, after receiving a bomb threat.

It made an emergency landing there.