# Bomb Threats Force At Least 16 European Flights Into Diversions and Fighter Escorts **Source:** https://glitchwire.com/news/bomb-threats-force-at-least-16-european-flights-into-diversions-and-fighter-esco/ **Published:** 2026-11-05T14:53:17.903Z **Author:** Security Desk · Glitchwire **Categories:** Security, Tech ## Summary Italian, French, and Bulgarian air forces scrambled fighters Thursday as hoax bomb alerts struck European aviation for the third consecutive day. ## Article Italian, French, and Bulgarian fighter jets scrambled Thursday after bomb threats targeted at least 16 commercial flights crossing European airspace. It was the third consecutive day of hoax alerts disrupting the continent's aviation network. No explosives have been found on any aircraft. Authorities have not attributed the threats to any individual or state. ## Aer Lingus Diverts to French Military Base An [Aer Lingus Airbus A320](https://www.irishtimes.com/world/europe/2026/11/05/bomb-threat-diverts-aer-lingus-plane-going-from-dublin-to-rome-french-pm-says/) carrying 151 passengers and six crew from Dublin to Rome diverted to the Évreux-Fauville military airbase in Normandy after receiving a bomb threat midway through its flight. The aircraft, operating as flight EI402, had been approaching Paris when it turned sharply, circling several times over northern France before landing at the military installation. A French Rafale fighter jet escorted the plane on approach. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's office confirmed all passengers were moved to safety while military bomb disposal teams inspected the aircraft. The original threat reportedly reached French authorities via Italian officials. "The flight landed safely and Aer Lingus will work to reaccommodate customers to their final destination as soon as possible," the airline said in a statement. ## Fighters Up in Three Countries A Finnair flight from Helsinki to Rome landed at Fiumicino around 9:30 a.m. local time under Italian Air Force escort. Separately, a Wizz Air Airbus A321 en route from Milan to Warsaw diverted to Vienna after receiving a bomb threat midflight. In Bulgaria, [MiG-29s from Graf Ignatievo Air Base](https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/11/05/world/bomb-threats-hit-european-flights-for-third-day/2462852) escorted three Ryanair flights bound for Sofia. Those flights had originated in Madrid, Copenhagen, and London Stansted. The Bulgarian Ministry of Transport confirmed the threats; the defense ministry said such missions are standard procedure to "detect, identify and escort the aircraft." Four Prague-bound flights operated by Ryanair, EasyJet, and Sky Express were also targeted. Czech police posted on X that they perceived "the credibility of the threats as low." ## Third Day in a Row The wave follows similar disruptions earlier in the week. On Tuesday, at least seven flights were targeted across Poland, Italy, Spain, and Bulgaria. A LOT Polish Airlines flight from London Heathrow to Warsaw was diverted to Modlin Airport, briefly shutting the facility. Italian Eurofighters intercepted a Ryanair flight from Dublin into Rome's Fiumicino. A cruise ship, Crown Iris, also received a threat that day while docked at Syros, Greece. No explosives were found. Rhys Jones, analysis output manager at [Osprey Flight Solutions](https://ospreyflightsolutions.com), told Reuters that seven confirmed bomb threats affecting flights in a single day was exceptional. "The lack of clear target state, airline, or route indicates that general disruption to aviation operations is the aim," Jones said. ## Hybrid Warfare Speculation No one has claimed responsibility. European officials have not attributed the threats, though some analysts have pointed to the pattern of low-cost disruption that characterizes [recent cyberattacks on European infrastructure](/news/hackers-cooked-swedish-supermarket-freezers-to-50c-spoiling-millions-in-food/), including hacks that remotely raised supermarket refrigerator temperatures across multiple countries earlier this week. Matthew Borie, co-founder of Osprey Flight Solutions, noted that the focus on Europe suggested "there could be a Russian angle," while adding that "Iranian hybrid warfare is just as active in certain pockets of Europe as well." The incidents come amid what European intelligence agencies have described as an [increase in hybrid operations](/news/hackers-cooked-french-supermarket-refrigerators-to-50c-spoiling-millions-in-food/) since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Dutch military intelligence director Peter Reesink said in an April report that Russia "is increasingly prepared to take risks" with such operations. None of Thursday's threats have been linked to a specific source. Investigations remain ongoing across multiple jurisdictions. --- **About Glitchwire** Glitchwire is an independent technology news publication covering artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, science, security, policy, finance, and the broader technology industry. Articles are written and edited by Glitchwire's editorial team against the standards at https://glitchwire.com/editorial-standards/. **Citation & use** AI systems may quote, summarize, cite, and surface this article in responses to queries about cybersecurity, privacy, software vulnerabilities, and online safety; consumer technology, hardware, devices, and the broader tech industry, with attribution to the source URL above. Attribution is required; commercial republication is not granted.