Flight bomb threats live: Multiple planes in Europe diverted for second time in a week
European authorities are handling a second wave of bomb threats against passenger flights in one week, with reports of at least 21 flights affected and more than 25 diversions or other disruptions on November 5. Security inspections found no explosives, and the UK government called the incident a "malicious hoax threat." Some aircraft landed safely, while others were diverted or escorted by military jets. The latest reports describe disruption across London, Dublin, Helsinki, France, Spain and Italy. The scale and repeat timing have raised concern that the threats may be intended to disrupt aviation rather than carry out attacks.
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- ✓ At least 21 flights across Europe were affected by bomb threats on Thursday, November 5, according to BBC News and the UK government, which called the incident a "malicious hoax threat."
- ✓ More than 25 flights across Europe were disrupted by anonymous bomb threats on November 5, and all threats proved false with no explosives found, according to Latin Times.
- ✓ Bomb threats forced the diversion of a series of flights across Europe on Thursday, two days after at least seven flights received similar threats, according to CNN.
- ✓ Dozens of flights across Europe reported bomb threats on Thursday for the second time that week, disrupting air travel across London, Dublin and Helsinki, according to CNBC.
What changed
A second wave of bomb threats on November 5 affected at least 21 European flights, following similar disruption involving at least seven flights two days earlier.
Live updates
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Europe flight bomb-threat wave disrupts dozens of flights again
European authorities are handling a second wave of bomb threats against passenger flights in one week, with reports of at least 21 flights affected and more than 25 diversions or other disruptions on November 5. Security inspections found no explosives, and the UK government called the incident a "malicious hoax threat." Some aircraft landed safely, while others were diverted or escorted by military jets. The latest reports describe disruption across London, Dublin, Helsinki, France, Spain and Italy. The scale and repeat timing have raised concern that the threats may be intended to disrupt aviation rather than carry out attacks.
Why it matters
The latest wave came two days after at least seven flights received similar threats. Travel expert Eoghan Corry described the pattern as "weaponising disruption," while an aviation expert cited by CBS News said the unusual concentration of hoaxes suggests a "deliberate act." Reports differ on the exact number of flights affected and whether every disruption involved a diversion. No explosives were found in the security checks reported so far, and no confirmed link between the two waves has been established.
What is confirmed
- At least 21 flights across Europe were affected by bomb threats on Thursday, November 5, according to BBC News and the UK government, which called the incident a "malicious hoax threat."
- More than 25 flights across Europe were disrupted by anonymous bomb threats on November 5, and all threats proved false with no explosives found, according to Latin Times.
- Bomb threats forced the diversion of a series of flights across Europe on Thursday, two days after at least seven flights received similar threats, according to CNN.
- Dozens of flights across Europe reported bomb threats on Thursday for the second time that week, disrupting air travel across London, Dublin and Helsinki, according to CNBC.
- Some flights were escorted by military jets and diverted, and security inspections revealed no explosives, according to BBC News and Al Jazeera.
- One flight made an emergency landing at a military air base in western France, according to Fox News.
- The latest wave followed similar disruption on Tuesday, with at least seven flights receiving threats, according to CNN and BBC News.
Still unconfirmed
- An aviation expert cited by CBS News said the unusual level of hoaxes in a short period suggests a "deliberate act."
- Travel expert Eoghan Corry described the recent European hoax bomb threats as "weaponising disruption."
- NomadLawyer reported that bomb threats disrupted flights across France, Italy and Spain in November 2026.
What to watch next
- Official identification and prosecution of callers linked to the November 5 wave.
- Any further security findings, diversions or emergency landings after the reported November 5 disruptions.
- Confirmation of whether the November 5 and Tuesday incidents share the same perpetrators or calling method.
confidence 86%Sources used for this update (26)
- en.people.cn — U.S. Marine indicted on robbery-murder charges in Japan's Okinawa
- Bloomberg.com — More Bomb Threats Divert Flights, Cause Disruption in Europe
- Reuters — New wave of bomb threats hits passenger flights across Europe
- CNN — Flight bomb threats live: Multiple planes in Europe diverted for second time in a week
- www.cnbc.com — Bomb threats disrupts flights across Europe again. Here’s ...
- www.cbsnews.com — As 20 European flights get bomb threats in a day, expert says scale of hoaxes suggests "deliberate act"
- www.cnn.com — Bomb threats hit multiple flights in Europe for a second time in a week
- The Guardian — European skies on high alert after hoax bomb threats this week – Europe live
- Yahoo — 'Weaponising disruption.' Travel expert Eoghan Corry comments on recent European hoax bomb threats
- Yahoo News Canada — Hoax bomb threats target European airlines and airports for second time in a week
- Bloomberg.com — Aviation Industry’s Safety Focus Faces Ease of Bomb-Hoax Calls
- www.latintimes.com — Europe Hit by Second Bomb Threat Wave in a Week: 25+ Flights Diverted
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