False bomb threats disrupt seven European flights; no explosives found

Seven passenger flights across Europe were inspected on November 3 following a series of suspected bomb threats, with no explosives discovered on any aircraft. The incidents affected planes from multiple airlines, including Ryanair, LOT Polish Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, and Wizz Air, originating from or bound for cities including London, Dublin, Lisbon, Manchester, Copenhagen, Bergamo, and Tel Aviv.

In Italy, two Ryanair flights landed in Rome after receiving anonymous email tips of bombs on board. One flight from Dublin was escorted by the Italian Air Force until landing at Fiumicino airport. A second Ryanair flight from Lisbon also underwent security checks. In Spain, a Ryanair flight from Manchester carrying 114 passengers and 7 crew members landed in Murcia after a bomb threat; Spanish authorities confirmed no explosives were found and the airport resumed normal operations. Polish authorities diverted a LOT flight from London Heathrow to Warsaw-Modlin airport after a bomb threat, briefly closing that airport. A Scandinavian Airlines flight from Copenhagen to Warsaw-Chopin also received a threat but landed as planned. In Bulgaria, two flights—one from Bergamo, Italy, and one from Dublin, Ireland—were inspected at Sofia airport after email threats; Bulgarian Transport Minister Georgi Peev confirmed no explosives were found.

The UK government described the incidents as "malicious hoax threats." While authorities have not officially confirmed a direct link between the incidents, representatives from multiple countries indicated they would cooperate to assess whether the threats were part of a coordinated attack designed to disrupt European airspace. Aviation security expert Paul Mason told BBC Radio 5 Live that the coordinated nature and credible manner of the threats across multiple airlines suggested "a very deliberate act by a typical actor rather than a load of coincidental, malicious calls." The incidents occurred one day after a Wizz Air flight from London to Sofia was diverted to Budapest on November 2 following a similar bomb threat received during flight; that aircraft was also found to contain no explosives.