On Thursday, November 5, at least 27 flights in Europe were affected by false reports of explosives, causing disruptions in air traffic. Some planes were redirected, others were escorted by fighter jets, and no explosive devices were found during the checks. This was reported by inPoland.
Bomb threat reports for aircraft: which flights were affected on November 5
This is the second wave of similar threats in a week. The incidents affected flights from various carriers, including Aer Lingus, Ryanair, Wizz Air, LOT, SAS, and Finnair.
Among the notable cases:
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Aer Lingus, Dublin — Rome: the plane was redirected to the French military airbase Evre. There were 151 passengers and six crew members on board.
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Finnair, Helsinki — Rome: military fighter jets escorted the plane, which landed safely at its destination airport.
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Ryanair, flights from Copenhagen and Madrid: planes landed in Sofia after threats were reported.
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Ryanair, London — Sofia: the aircraft was redirected to Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
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Flight to Warsaw: the plane landed in Vienna for checks, after which it continued its flight.
The Czech police also checked four planes arriving in Prague after receiving threats. No dangerous items were found.
For passengers, the checks meant delays, changes to arrival airports, and the risk of missing further connections. Even after the examinations were completed, resuming the flight requires time due to baggage checks, boarding of passengers, and organizing the next flight.
Airline safety in Europe: what is known about those involved
As of the time of issuing the reports, those responsible for the threats have not been officially identified. There was also no public confirmation that all incidents were coordinated by a specific state or organization.
Experts consider hybrid operations aimed at disrupting infrastructure as a possible explanation. However, mentions of Russia in this context remain evaluations and assumptions, rather than proven conclusions regarding this wave of reports.
Passengers of upcoming flights should check their flight status with the airline and airport. When planning travel, it is also necessary to consider the individual requirements of the carrier, including Ryanair's check-in deadlines.
If a flight is delayed or redirected, it is advisable to retain the airline's communications, boarding documents, and receipts for additional expenses. Questions regarding assistance and compensation for flight delays should be clarified based on the specific circumstances: a delay due to security threats does not automatically imply a monetary payout.