Second wave of hoax bomb threats hits at least 25 flights across Europe, none genuine so far

A new round of bomb threats hit airlines across Europe on Thursday morning, the second this week, and the count has more than tripled since Tuesday. Reuters reports at least 25 affected flights, from Ireland to Bulgaria. CBS News had confirmed at least 18 by mid-morning and also cites at least 25 for the total. Authorities say no explosives have been found on any aircraft.

This is a follow-up to our report on Tuesday's threats, when at least seven flights and a cruise ship were targeted.

What happened on Thursday

• France. Aer Lingus flight EI402 from Dublin to Rome was diverted to the military air base at Evreux in Normandy, 100 km west of Paris. The prime minister's office said all 151 passengers and six crew got off safely while military bomb disposal teams examined the aircraft, according to the Associated Press and CBS.
• Italy. A Finnair flight from Helsinki was escorted to Rome by Italian fighter jets after an emailed threat, an airport official told AP. Police bomb disposal experts cleared it. CBS, citing ANSA, says Rome's airport stopped flights for 30 minutes. A second Finnair flight, operated by Jettime, landed normally in Vienna. Two more flights landed at Milan Malpensa after bomb alerts, per ANSA.
• Bulgaria. Three Ryanair flights bound for Sofia made emergency landings. The Copenhagen and Madrid flights reached Sofia and the London Stansted flight went to Plovdiv. Bulgaria's air force said fighter jets escorted three airliners down.
• Czech Republic. Police said four planes heading for Prague were threatened; all landed and were searched, and they rated the credibility of the threats as low.
• Poland, Belgium, Austria and Romania. A LOT flight from Warsaw landed safely in Brussels, and no suspicious items were found. A second LOT flight was stopped while taxiing in Warsaw and passengers moved to another aircraft, and one runway at Chopin airport was briefly closed. A Wizz Air flight from Milan to Warsaw landed in Vienna, and another Wizz Air flight landed safely in Bucharest.
• Spain. Madrid's Barajas airport told CBS three flights were affected and the threats were ruled out after checks.

Who is behind it?

Nobody has said. CBS reports that no authority has confirmed a link between the threats, and that some were sent to airlines by email. Reuters notes that Denmark, Poland and Romania, all hit on Thursday, have previously accused Russia of hybrid attacks and sabotage, and that Moscow and Tehran deny any such campaign. A security consultant quoted by Reuters said most of the affected countries back Ukraine, and another expert said the repeated threats could test how airlines and authorities respond. Those are expert opinions, not findings. Reuters also links the timing to hackers who shut down supermarket refrigeration in several European countries this week.

What it costs, and what to do

Each diversion costs an airline a new slot, crew hours and a recovery of the aircraft, and it strands passengers at an airport they did not choose. For travelers the practical points are simple:

• If you fly to Rome, Milan, Sofia, Prague, Warsaw, Vienna or Brussels in the next day or two, check your airline's app before leaving for the airport, because a searched aircraft can run late on its next leg.
• Under EU rules, passengers on a diverted flight are generally entitled to care such as meals and, if needed, hotel nights. Ask the airline in writing and keep receipts. Whether compensation applies when a security threat is the cause is a separate question that each airline decides, so do not assume it.
• Check travel insurance wording for "security alert" and "diversion" cover before you need it.

We will update this story as officials release more information. See the travel section for related coverage.

Sources: Reuters via Investing.com, November 5, 2026; CBS News, November 5, 2026; Associated Press via The Globe and Mail, November 5, 2026. Figures are minimums as reported and may change. This is news information, not investment advice.