New Wave of Bomb Threats Disrupts European Airspace Across Multiple Nations

BERLIN — European authorities reported additional bomb threats targeting multiple flights on Friday, following a series of hoaxes this week that have prompted diversions.

No suspicious items were found and no injuries were reported, yet the incidents have heightened concern as Europe is already coping with other recent disruptions such as attacks on supermarket refrigeration systems and drone incursions.

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s office announced on Friday that “four new bomb threats were made today against aircraft flying over French territory.” All aircraft landed safely, and bomb disposal teams are carrying out inspections. No further details on the affected flights were provided.

A Tarom flight from Prague to Bucharest received a bomb threat, prompting it to land safely at its destination. Airport officials later confirmed that the threat was a hoax.

Portuguese police were notified of a bomb threat against a Ryanair flight from Lisbon to Rome. After the aircraft landed in Lisbon, a security inspection was conducted, and passengers destined for Rome underwent additional screening before boarding.

A WizzAir flight from Prague to Rome was diverted to Venice following a bomb alert. After landing, passengers were evacuated while authorities performed security checks, which have so far yielded no threats. Air traffic at the airport was briefly suspended before resuming normal operations.

Police in Denmark and the Czech Republic also reported investigating threats to air traffic.

In Copenhagen, Danish police conducted a second consecutive day of airport patrols “in connection with threats directed at air traffic” as a precaution. They concluded that there was no danger to passengers or others, and that air traffic continued safely without disruption.

Czech police reported another day of handling threats against incoming and outgoing aircraft on Friday. Working with Prague’s Václav Havel Airport, they implemented security measures that had “a minimal impact on normal operations.”

More than two dozen flights were affected by threats earlier in the week, with several being diverted as authorities worked to eliminate any risk.

While hoax bomb threats are relatively common, the frequency of incidents in such a short span is unusual.

The perpetrator of this wave of airline hoaxes remains unknown. The incidents coincide with heightened geopolitical tensions and warnings from authorities that Russia may be escalating so‑called hybrid threats across Europe.

No group or state has claimed responsibility, and investigations have not linked the hoaxes to any government. An email threat sent Thursday to Roman airport authorities, examined by The Associated Press, purported to originate from an anti‑feminist group targeting a “feminist regime.” A similar threat was received at another European airport, though it is unclear whether the messages share a common source.

Bomb threats weigh heavily on pilots and create unnecessary tension, but crews are prepared to respond professionally, said Paul Reuter, vice president of the European Cockpit Association. He explained that pilots review procedures with cabin crews, identify possible diversion airports, and may carry extra fuel as a precaution.

Reuter described the use of civil aviation for geopolitical disruption or hoaxes as “totally unacceptable.”

In Ireland, a bomb threat prompted the evacuation of RTÉ’s Dublin headquarters on Friday, with live broadcasts switched to pre‑recorded programming.

Irish police, An Garda Síochána, stated they were “aware of a threat made against media organisations here and in Europe.” They are coordinating with Irish media outlets and will investigate the incident.

Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin remarked that the threats to RTÉ and other outlets “simply illustrate how easily disruption can be caused and normal societal operations undermined through such unconventional tactics, which are designed to generate fear and anxiety.”

He added that a “very significant security operation” will be in place next week when Dublin hosts meetings of the European Political Community and European Union leaders.

Jill Lawless in London, Suman Naishadham in Madrid, Stephen McGrath in Leamington Spa, England, Giada Zampano in Rome, Karel Janicek in Prague, Sylvie Corbet in Paris and Mark Carlson in Brussels contributed to this report.

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