European aviation officials are managing the fallout from a wave of false threats that forced dozens of planes into emergency protocols. French authorities are specifically examining an Aer Lingus Dublin-to-Rome flight diverted to Évreux military base under armed fighter jet escort. The flight crew faces potential charges after reportedly refusing orders to land at the military facility, though the airline insists its pilots acted impeccably. Elsewhere, Belgian budget talks collapsed, and Pope Leo began a South American tour following recent surgery.
Key points
European aviation officials remain on high alert while seeking to restore normal flight o…: European aviation officials remain on high alert while seeking to restore normal flight operations after numerous disruptions.
Aer Lingus is defending its crew's professionalism despite an active French legal inquiry…: Aer Lingus is defending its crew's professionalism despite an active French legal inquiry into their response during the diversion.
Unrelated European events include Belgian government budget crises and Pope Leo's first i…: Unrelated European events include Belgian government budget crises and Pope Leo's first international trip since his lung surgery.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Morning opening: European skies on high alert after hoax bomb threats this week
Airlines and airports across Europe are on high alert after a wave of hoax bomb threats targeted commercial flights this week, leaving at least 35 planes searched or diverted.
Authorities will be hoping to see a quieter day today after yesterday’s disruptions.
But one of the incidents yesterday remains under closer scrutiny.
An Aer Lingus pilot who was flying from Dublin to Rome when the plane was diverted to the Évreux military base after a bomb threat is facing scrutiny from the French authorities after reportedly insisting on landing at a civilian airport.
Évreux’s public prosecutor, Rémi Coutin, told ICI Normandie that the pilot’s apparent initial refusal to land where instructed prompted the French military to scramble two fighter jets to intercept the aircraft.
The pilot and his co-pilot will be questioned to “understand what happened,” Coutin said, stressing that he could bring charges for refusing to cooperate with authorities.
In a statement to the Guardian, Aer Lingus backed the pilot, however, saying he and the crew…
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