Hoax bomb alerts disrupt dozens of European flights

Airlines across Europe faced a wave of bomb threats on Thursday that forced the diversion, emergency landing, or cancellation of at least 27 flights, according to aviation monitoring groups. The incidents represent the largest single‑day disruption of this type this week, following smaller hoax threats on Monday and Tuesday.

One of the diverted aircraft was an Aer Lingus Airbus A320 that landed at Evreux military air base in France after taking off from Dublin bound for Rome. Passengers were evacuated and the aircraft was inspected, with authorities confirming that no explosives were found on any of the affected flights.

The source of the threats remains unidentified. While no government has formally assigned blame, several European officials have publicly suggested that Russia could be behind the so‑called “hybrid attacks” that target civilian infrastructure, including aviation. Denmark, Poland and Romania have previously accused Moscow of similar sabotage, and Germany linked a prior incident at Leipzig airport to Russia. The United Kingdom has also cited Russia in past allegations, though it has also mentioned Iran in a separate case involving a U.S. air base. Both Russia and Iran have denied involvement.

Eric Schouten, head of aviation security firm Dyami, said the pattern of threats fits a broader geopolitical strategy aimed at destabilising multiple sectors, from railways to energy and the internet, in support of Ukraine’s war effort against Russia’s invasion. He emphasized that the aviation sector is increasingly vulnerable to such low‑cost, deniable tactics.

Finnair reported that two of its flights, one to Rome and another to Vienna, were also affected by the hoax alerts. No passengers or crew were injured, and all flights were eventually cleared to resume normal operations after thorough security checks.