Hoax or bomb threats? What we know about flight disruptions across Europe

Live updates

1. 22m ago

   Wave of bomb threats disrupts European flights for third day this week

   More than 20 flights across Europe received bomb threats on Thursday, marking the third day of disruptions this week and prompting fighter jet escorts and emergency landings in London, Dublin, Helsinki and other hubs. Security inspections on the ground have found no explosives, leading authorities to treat the incidents as hoaxes. Irish officials said the scale and coordination suggest a deliberate campaign rather than isolated pranks. Airlines and air traffic control are following standard diversion procedures, but the volume of threats is straining resources and delaying passengers across the continent.

   Why it matters

   The coordinated nature of the threats across multiple countries and airlines points to a systemic vulnerability in aviation security protocols that rely on treating every threat as credible. With no devices found after dozens of searches, the focus is shifting to identifying the source and motive behind the campaign, which has now affected flights for three consecutive days.

   What is confirmed

   • More than 20 flights across Europe received bomb threats on Thursday, the third day of disruptions this week.
   • Threats affected flights in London, Dublin, Helsinki and other European hubs, prompting fighter jet escorts and emergency landings.
   • Security inspections on diverted aircraft have found no explosives.
   • Irish officials said the scale and pattern of threats suggest a coordinated campaign.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The threats may be linked to a broader hybrid warfare operation targeting European infrastructure.
   • Some threats were transmitted via air traffic control communication channels.

   What to watch next

   • Identification of the source or perpetrators behind the threat campaign
   • Changes to European aviation security protocols for handling in-flight bomb threats
   • Whether the threats continue into the weekend or expand to other transport modes
   Sources used for this update (26)

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   7. Bloomberg.com — More Bomb Threats Divert Flights, Cause Disruption in Europe
   8. www.cnbc.com — Bomb threats disrupts flights across Europe again. Here’s ...
   9. CNN — Bomb threats have disrupted more than 20 flights across Europe this week. Here’s what we know
   10. www.cbsnews.com — As 20 European flights get bomb threats in a day, expert says scale of hoaxes suggests "deliberate act"
   11. BBC — Bomb hoaxes: Messages reveal how threat was passed on by air traffic control
   12. Reuters — Wave of bomb threats afflict European flights for third time this week
   confidence 88%