Wave of bomb threats against European airliners triggers diversions and tarmac searches

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1. 51m ago

   European flight bomb threats force diversions and emergency landings

   European passenger flights faced a second wave of bomb threats within a week, prompting diversions, emergency landings and searches in several countries. A Dublin-to-Rome passenger plane was diverted to a French air force base, while other flights made emergency landings in France, Italy and Bulgaria. Authorities treated the threats as malicious hoaxes, but reports say disruption also affected the United Kingdom and Spain. Investigators are seeking the people responsible and their motive, with some coverage linking the disruption to fears of hybrid warfare.

   Why it matters

   The renewed disruption followed an earlier wave of threats that affected European air traffic, making this the second reported wave in one week. The scale has reached airlines including Wizz Air, LOT Polish Airlines, SAS and Ryanair, with aviation authorities and bomb-disposal units placed on high alert in Poland, Spain, Italy and Bulgaria. Authorities have described the threats as hoaxes, but their origin and purpose remain unresolved, and security officials are examining whether the disruption is linked to hybrid warfare.

   What is confirmed

   • A passenger plane flying from Dublin to Rome was diverted to a French air force base after a bomb threat.
   • Flights made emergency landings in France, Italy and Bulgaria days after bomb threats disrupted air traffic.
   • European airlines suffered a second wave of bomb threats on Thursday that indiscriminately targeted companies from low-cost operator Wizz Air Holdings Plc.
   • Hoax bomb threats disrupted flights across Europe, including in the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Spain, leaving officials investigating who was behind them and why.
   • Bomb threats across Europe forced multiple planes to make emergency landings on Thursday, including one at a military air base in western France.
   • Aviation authorities and bomb disposal units across Poland, Spain, Italy and Bulgaria were placed on high alert, and airlines including LOT Polish Airlines, SAS and Ryanair were forced to respond.
   • Multiple flights in Europe were diverted after bomb threats were deemed malicious hoaxes.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The disruption has renewed fears of hybrid warfare.
   • The threats were part of a coordinated series targeting commercial flights across Europe.

   What to watch next

   • Identification of the people or groups responsible for the threats and disclosure of their motive.
   • Official findings on whether the disruption was connected to hybrid warfare.
   • Any further diversions, emergency landings or security responses across European airspace.
   Sources used for this update (24)

   1. www.cnn.com — Breaking News, Latest News and Videos | CNN
   2. www.nbcnews.com — NBC News - Breaking Headlines and Video Reports on World, U.S....
   3. www.waveapps.com — Wave: Small Business Software - Wave Financial
   4. www.wave.com — Wave
   5. en.wikipedia.org — Wave - Wikipedia
   6. NBC News — ‘Bomb alert’ diverts Rome-bound passenger plane
   7. BBC — Flights across Europe impacted by bomb threats for second time this week
   8. Reuters — New wave of bomb threats hits passenger flights across Europe
   9. The Guardian — Bomb threats disrupt flights across Europe and renew hybrid warfare fears
   10. CNN — Flight bomb threats live: Multiple planes in Europe diverted for second time in a week
   11. 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS — Multiple flights in Europe again diverted after bomb threats deemed ‘malicious hoaxes’
   12. www.nbcnews.com — Wave of bomb threats against European airliners triggers diversions and tarmac searches
   confidence 87%