By — Kirsten Grieshaber, Associated Press Kirsten Grieshaber, Associated Press By — Stefanie Dazio, Associated Press Stefanie Dazio, Associated Press By — David Biller, Associated Press David Biller, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/flights-across-europe-face-disruption-after-false-bomb-threats Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Flights across Europe face disruption after false bomb threats World Nov 3, 2026 4:53 PM EST BERLIN (AP) — Several flights across Europe received alleged bomb threats on Tuesday that ultimately turned out to be hoaxes but prompted searches, diversions and, in one case, an escort by the Italian Air Force until landing, officials said. The impacted airlines included Polish airline LOT, Scandinavian Airlines, Wizz Air and Ryanair. The incidents came a day after a plane headed for Bulgaria was diverted to Hungary after receiving a similar bomb threat while in the air. No one was injured. Matthew Borie of Osprey Flight Solutions, which advises airlines on flight threats, laid out several hypotheses for the as-yet unexplained incidents: A single threat triggers copycat incidents; an individual or a group makes multiple…
Flights across Europe face disruption after false bomb threats
In short
The emergency response spanned several nations, affecting carriers such as LOT, Scandinavian Airlines, Wizz Air, and Ryanair. In Italy, defense authorities scrambled two Eurofighter jets to intercept a Ryanair flight traveling from Dublin to Rome, while bomb disposal experts searched another plane arriving from Lisbon. Poland also faced significant infrastructure delays, with diversions temporarily closing Modlin Airport and shuttering a runway at Warsaw's Chopin Airport. Spanish security teams similarly inspected an incoming flight from Manchester in Murcia, which also proved to be safe.
Key points
- Extensive security checks on flights operated by multiple European carriers confirmed tha…: Extensive security checks on flights operated by multiple European carriers confirmed that no explosives were present.
- Aviation analysts suggest the wave of false threats could be coordinated hybrid warfare o…: Aviation analysts suggest the wave of false threats could be coordinated hybrid warfare or copycat activity.
- National defense and aviation response protocols remain actively deployed across the cont…: National defense and aviation response protocols remain actively deployed across the continent to protect air travel.