Spate of bomb threats poses serious challenge to airline industry

Live updates

1. 59m ago

   Bomb Threats Disrupt European Flights for Third Time This Week

   A wave of bomb threats has disrupted more than 20 flights across Europe this week, forcing emergency landings and evacuations. European air traffic has been targeted by multiple threats for the third time in a week. Security agencies are investigating the incidents and examining how messages were passed on by air traffic control. The persistent threats pose a serious challenge to the airline industry and aviation authorities, who are struggling to contain the widespread disruptions impacting dozens of flights.

   Why it matters

   The recent wave of disruptions highlights vulnerabilities in aviation communications and passenger safety management across Europe. European security agencies are actively probing the origins of these security incidents to determine their source. The recurrence of these threats creates ongoing operational hurdles for commercial airlines and air traffic controllers.

   What is confirmed

   • Bomb threats have disrupted more than 20 flights across Europe this week.
   • European air traffic was targeted by new threats for the third time this week.
   • The disruptions have forced emergency landings and evacuations.

   Still unconfirmed

   • European security agencies are probing whether the bomb hoaxes started in Russia.

   What to watch next

   • Results from European security agency investigations into the origin of the threats
   • Additional updates from aviation authorities regarding flight safety and containment measures
   Sources used for this update (19)

   1. www.yahoo.com — Yahoo
   2. www.myjoyonline.com — Fire outbreaks leave a trail of destruction at Bunso, Boso and Nsawam
   3. CNN — Flight bomb threats live: Multiple planes in Europe diverted for second time in a week
   4. CNN — Bomb threats have disrupted more than 20 flights across Europe this week. Here’s what we know
   5. BBC — Bomb hoaxes: Messages reveal how threat was passed on by air traffic control
   6. AP News — European air traffic targeted by new threats in at least 3 incidents
   7. Reuters — Wave of bomb threats afflict European flights for third time this week
   8. Al Jazeera — Hoax or bomb threats? What we know about flight disruptions across Europe
   9. NPR — European air traffic is targeted by new threats after a week of hoaxes
   10. The Guardian — Further bomb threats disrupt at least another 18 flights across Europe
   11. BBC — Spate of bomb threats poses serious challenge to airline industry
   12. Reuters — Bomb threats warning 'the clock is ticking' disrupt TV channels across Europe
   confidence 90%