--- title: "Bomb Threats Hit European Airports Amid Security Concerns" url: https://noti.group/bomb-threats-hit-european-airports-amid-security-concerns/ language: en publisher: "Noti Group" section: "World News" published: 2026-11-05T17:39:48.000Z updated: 2026-11-06T05:27:13.211Z id: c9a2d06d-8207-4faa-9465-c17161bb9b20 source: "BBC News World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmpqg08nz3pqo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss" attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/bomb-threats-hit-european-airports-amid-security-concerns/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Bomb Threats Hit European Airports Amid Security Concerns Multiple aircraft and airports across Europe have been targeted by bomb threats, prompting security measures at several locations. At least 21 aircraft and several European airports have been targeted by bomb threats in a second wave of incidents this week, sparking security concerns across the continent. The UK has described the threats as a "malicious hoax. Flights to eight countries - Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Poland, and Romania - were affected, with some planes being diverted or met by police at airports. An Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome was redirected to an air base in France, while Italian fighter jets escorted a Finnair plane from Helsinki to Rome. EasyJet flights from Newcastle and Glasgow were intercepted by police in Prague as a precautionary measure. London Heathrow and Birmingham airports also received threats, which authorities deemed not credible. No explosives have been found during searches at any of the affected locations. The latest threats follow a similar incident just days ago, with some claiming responsibility on behalf of an unknown group or individual. However, it is still unclear if these separate incidents are connected. Airport authorities in Rome confirmed that two inbound flights received hoax email warnings, allegedly from a group calling themselves Fighters of the Male State, who claimed to be targeting what they described as a feminist regime. Airport authorities in Rome have confirmed that two flights incoming to the city received hoax email warnings, allegedly from a group calling themselves Fighters of the Male State. This alleged group's identity is believed to be linked to the Russian ultra-right organization Muzhskoi Legion, which was banned by a Moscow court in 2021 due to its extreme views. The group had retained tens of thousands of online followers, who cheered on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Despite the email's claims, experts say it is unlikely to provide crucial leads for police and airport authorities investigating these hoaxes. The lack of concrete information makes it challenging for investigators to pinpoint the individuals or groups behind these malicious threats. UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described the incidents as malicious hoax threats, emphasizing that the government takes such threats seriously. She highlighted established processes in place to handle hoax and malicious threats, which are designed to ensure public safety. A UK government spokesperson later confirmed that the reported threats had been resolved by early morning, without providing further details. Heathrow Airport also released a statement, stating it received a threat earlier in the day but deemed it not credible, with no risk to passengers or staff. Birmingham Airport's spokesperson told the BBC that they had received a similar threat, prompting emergency services and partners to initiate processes to manage the situation safely. Flights operated by Aer Lingus and Wizz Air were among those affected by bomb threats on Thursday. An Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome was diverted to Normandy, where it landed safely, but passengers were left waiting for alternative arrangements. Finnair flights were also targeted, with two planes landing at their destinations without incident. However, one of the Finnair flights was escorted into Rome's Fiumicino airport by Italian Air Force fighter jets as a precautionary measure. Meanwhile, Wizz Air reported that two of its flights from Milan had been affected, with one plane diverting to Vienna and another landing safely in Bucharest for inspection. Polish airline LOT said its flight from Warsaw to Brussels landed as scheduled, but another LOT flight was stopped before takeoff and underwent security screening. No hazardous items were found on either the LOT flight or the baggage that accompanied it. In Bulgaria, three Ryanair flights were escorted by Bulgarian air force fighter jets after landing in Sofia and Plovdiv, while a fourth plane landed in Prague without incident. EasyJet also confirmed that two of its flights had been affected, with passengers disembarking normally from planes arriving in Newcastle and Glasgow. Czech police said no explosives were found on four flights that landed in the city. Aegean Airlines reported that two of its flights were targeted by bomb threats while they were en route from Greece to Italy. The flights originated in Thessaloniki and Athens, but both continued on their journey after being cleared as safe. Meanwhile, a Ryanair flight from Portugal landed safely at Milan's airport despite a bomb threat against it. Upon arrival, Italian authorities checked the plane for any signs of explosives, but nothing was found. In Spain, three flights were allegedly affected by bomb threats at Madrid's airport. However, these claims turned out to be unfounded after airport officials conducted thorough inspections. Iberia Airlines confirmed that two of its flights were among those targeted by the threats. Air Serbia also reported a bomb threat against one of its flights from Belgrade to Bucharest. The plane landed safely and was subsequently cleared as secure, with no evidence of explosives found on board. The passengers on board the flight remained calm despite the uncertainty surrounding the situation. Noble was one of those passengers who experienced the ordeal firsthand. She described the experience as odd" and worrying, but noted that everyone tried to remain as calm as possible. The flight landed safely at Évreux-Fauville air base in Normandy after being diverted due to a bomb threat. Passengers were kept on board for two-and-a-half hours while police and military personnel conducted thorough checks. These checks included searches with sniffer dogs, which added to the sense of unease among the passengers. They later learned that they would be taken to an airport in Paris before boarding another plane to Rome. Philip Baum, a professor of aviation security at the University of Coventry, shed light on the industry's response to bomb threats. He noted that flights are only diverted when there is a credible threat and authorities suspect the presence of an explosive device. Baum also warned about the potential consequences of issuing multiple hoax threats, which could lead to complacency and divert attention from real threats or even serve as a diversion for more sinister activities. Marco Chan, an aviation expert at Kingston University, echoed Baum's sentiments. He told the BBC that while the threats were likely hoaxes, the system was right to treat them as real due to the potential consequences of underestimating such threats. The recent wave of bomb threats targeting European airlines and airports has sparked concerns about the potential for coordinated disruption to air travel. Experts are now viewing these incidents as possibly part of a larger pattern of cheap and deniable disruption to aviation, rather than isolated events. This assessment is based on the fact that multiple incidents have occurred over a short period, which could suggest a more sophisticated level of organization or coordination. The situation remains fluid, with authorities continuing to investigate the motives behind these threats. The lack of explosives found on planes searched so far suggests that many of the threats may be hoaxes, but experts caution against underestimating their potential consequences due to the disruption they cause to air travel operations. --- Source: [BBC News World](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmpqg08nz3pqo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/bomb-threats-hit-european-airports-amid-security-concerns/