Bomb threats target multiple European flights in coordinated wave
A wave of bomb threats targeted at least seven European passenger flights on November 2-3, 2026, forcing diversions, fighter jet escorts, and emergency security checks for carriers including Ryanair, Wizz Air, LOT Polish Airlines, and SAS. No explosives were found in any of the incidents.
A coordinated series of bomb threats targeted passenger aircraft across Europe over the past 48 hours. At least five flights operated by SAS, LOT Polish Airlines, Ryanair, and Wizz Air were affected between November 2 and 3, 2026, heading to cities including Sofia, Warsaw, Rome, and Murcia. No explosives were found in any of the incidents, which authorities have described as malicious hoax threats.
Seven passenger planes across Europe were targeted by suspected bomb threats on Tuesday. Authorities in Poland, Spain, and Bulgaria searched planes following the alerts. The UK government described the incidents as malicious hoax threats.
Ryanair flights diverted to Rome after threats from Dublin and Lisbon
Two Ryanair flights, one from Dublin and one from Lisbon, were searched after landing in Rome following anonymous tips. The Dublin flight was escorted by the Italian Air Force until landing. In Rome, Fiumicino airport police bomb disposal experts carried out standard security protocols after the landings. Inspections of passengers, luggage, and aircraft yielded negative results for explosives.
Wizz Air and LOT Polish Airlines flights diverted with fighter jet escort
A Wizz Air flight from London Luton to Sofia was diverted to Budapest on Monday, November 2, after receiving a bomb threat. A Hungarian Gripen fighter jet escorted the aircraft. Wizz Air confirmed later that security checks had been made and nothing was found.
On November 3, a LOT Polish Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 departed London-Heathrow for Warsaw Chopin but was forced to divert to Warsaw Modlin due to a threat. The aircraft, carrying 181 people, landed safely and taxied to a designated parking stand for a security inspection. A LOT Polish Airlines spokesperson said, "The aircraft security inspection has been completed, with no suspicious items found." Following border control checks, passengers were transferred to Warsaw Chopin Airport by coach.
SAS flight and further threats across Europe
An SAS Airbus A320neo received a threat after departing Copenhagen Airport for Warsaw Chopin. The aircraft landed normally in Warsaw where passengers disembarked. An SAS spokesperson said, "We are following established security procedures while taking care of our passengers and crew." The matter is being handled by police in Warsaw.
A Ryanair flight from Manchester to Murcia landed following a bomb threat, prompting a large-scale security operation. Spanish authorities confirmed 114 passengers and seven crew members disembarked at Murcia Corvera Airport. Police ruled out the presence of explosives. Passenger Sarah was unaware of the bomb threat until after the plane landed, stating the plane stopped suddenly and was kept on the runway for 30 minutes.
Bulgarian Transport Minister Georgi Peev confirmed bomb threats against two planes travelling to Sofia, from Bergamo and Dublin. The flights were not diverted and no explosives were found when checked. Bulgaria's border police received an email around 10:35 local time about an explosive device on a flight from Bergamo, with a similar threat against an aircraft arriving from Dublin. A separate threat was reported involving an aircraft arriving from Israel at Sofia Airport, where counter-terrorism personnel carried out security checks.
Wizz Air confirmed its Milan Bergamo-Sofia flight was subject to a bomb threat communicated by Bulgarian authorities. As the aircraft was already approaching its final destination, no diversion was necessary, and it landed safely at Sofia Airport before being cleared by security checks.
Aviation security expert Paul Mason said bomb threats on passenger planes don't happen that frequently, making the incidents unusual. He suggested the threats were a very deliberate act by a typical actor rather than a load of coincidental, malicious calls. Former pilot Marco Chan stated a bomb threat is considered genuine until it is resolved, even though most turn out to be hoaxes.
Once on the ground, planes are generally taken to an isolated stand, passengers are disembarked, and police and bomb disposal teams search it. The captain must assess available facilities at the diversion airport and how the plane can continue onwards should the threat prove false.
