European Flights Bomb Threats: 14 Flights Targeted in 3 Days as Fighter Jets Scramble

At least 14 flights across Europe faced bomb threats on November 5, triggering military escorts, diversions and emergency security checks. No explosives were found, but the incidents mark the third consecutive day of aviation disruption.

European air travel has faced a fresh wave of security alerts after at least 14 flights were targeted by hoax bomb threats on Thursday, November 5, prompting fighter jets to scramble and several aircraft to change course.

Flights involving Italy, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic were among those affected, with airlines and authorities activating emergency procedures. Three aircraft were diverted, while military jets escorted passenger planes to their destinations or designated landing sites.

All affected aircraft landed safely, and inspections found no explosives, according to authorities and airlines cited by AFP.

The latest incidents came after similar threats disrupted European flights earlier in the week. More than 20 hoax threats had been reported across the continent during the week, with low-cost carrier Ryanair among the airlines repeatedly targeted.

What happened to European flights on November 5?

Italian, French and Bulgarian fighter jets were deployed after bomb alerts were reported on multiple passenger flights.

The incidents particularly affected flights to or from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Italy. Airlines and authorities responded by diverting aircraft, escorting planes and carrying out security inspections.

Three flights were diverted in total, while all aircraft involved landed safely.

The threats affected several major carriers, including Ryanair, Finnair, Wizz Air and Aer Lingus.

Ryanair flights to Bulgaria targeted by bomb threats

Three Ryanair flights heading to Sofia, Bulgaria, from Madrid, Copenhagen and London Stansted were targeted by bomb threats, according to a spokesperson for Bulgaria’s Ministry of Transport.

Two aircraft landed at Sofia Airport. The flight from London Stansted was diverted to Plovdiv Airport, east of the Bulgarian capital.

Bulgarian fighter jets escorted all three aircraft.

The country’s defence ministry said such missions are intended to detect, identify and escort aircraft when security concerns arise.

Following landing, the planes underwent inspections. An Interior Ministry spokesperson told AFP that no explosives were found.

The incidents added to a series of threats involving Ryanair flights earlier in the week.

Finnair flight escorted by Italian fighter jets

A Finnair flight travelling from Helsinki to Rome was escorted by an Italian air force fighter jet after a bomb threat.

The aircraft landed at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport, where bomb disposal experts carried out checks.

A spokesperson for the airport confirmed that the plane had been inspected. Finnair spokesperson Stiina Tuunanen said that “nothing unusual was found” after the aircraft landed.

Finnair also reported a separate threat involving flight AY1471 from Helsinki to Vienna. The airline did not provide further details in the initial report.

The carrier said it follows established procedures in such situations and works closely with local authorities.

Aer Lingus Dublin-Rome flight diverted to France

An Aer Lingus flight travelling from Dublin to Rome was rerouted to France after a bomb threat.

French authorities said military aircraft escorted the plane to Evreux air base, west of Paris.

The aircraft landed safely, and the airline said it would work to accommodate passengers to their final destinations as soon as possible.

The diversion was among the most notable incidents of the day, as a scheduled commercial flight was directed to a military facility rather than its intended airport.

Wizz Air flights face security alerts

Wizz Air also reported threats affecting flights on Thursday.

A flight travelling from Milan to Warsaw was rerouted to Vienna following a threat. The airline said the diversion was carried out in accordance with its established safety procedures.

Another Wizz Air flight from Milan to Bucharest landed safely at its destination. Romania’s intelligence service said a crisis unit was set up at Henri Coanda Airport following the alert.

Authorities did not report any explosives discovered in the initial inspections.

Prague-bound flights targeted, police activate security measures

Four planes bound for Prague were also targeted by bomb threats, involving aircraft operated by Ryanair, easyJet and Sky Express.

Czech police said they assessed the credibility of the threats as low, but stressed that they were not underestimating the situation.

Security measures were activated at Prague Airport, with the threats reportedly received through emails sent from anonymous addresses.

The identities of all affected flights were not immediately clear.

Copenhagen flights also affected

Two aircraft arriving at Copenhagen were also reportedly targeted by threats.

Copenhagen police said their assessment indicated that there was no danger to passengers or anyone else at the airport.

The alerts were part of the wider pattern of reported threats across European aviation on Thursday.

More than 20 hoax threats reported this week

The latest incidents followed similar alerts on Monday and Tuesday.

On Tuesday, 10 flights were targeted by bomb threats, all of which were reported as hoaxes. The alerts prompted searches and the deployment of Italian air force jets, while a Warsaw airport was temporarily closed.

On Monday, a Wizz Air flight from London Luton to Sofia was diverted to Budapest following a bomb threat. The aircraft was forced to make an emergency stop, with Hungarian fighter jets involved in the escort.

By Thursday, more than 20 hoax threats had reportedly been recorded during the week.

Ryanair was said to have been the target of at least seven of the threats.

Who is behind the bomb threats?

The origin and motives of the threats remain unknown.

The incidents come amid growing European concerns over hybrid attacks, which can involve sabotage, cyber operations, drones, espionage and other forms of disruption.

France’s Secretary General for Defence and National Security, Nicolas Roche, recently highlighted the increase in such activities during remarks to parliament.

However, authorities have not publicly established who is responsible for the latest aviation threats. Any connection to Russia, Iran or another actor remains unconfirmed in the reports available.

The repeated alerts have placed airlines, airport authorities and security agencies on heightened alert, even as inspections have so far found no explosives.

Are European flights safe after the bomb threats?

Authorities and airlines have reported that the affected aircraft landed safely and that searches did not uncover explosives.

However, each threat is being handled through established aviation security procedures. This can involve military escorts, diversions, emergency landings, passenger checks and aircraft inspections.

Passengers travelling within or through Europe should check directly with their airline for any flight-specific changes and follow instructions issued by airport and security authorities.

The latest incidents highlight how even threats assessed as hoaxes can disrupt aviation operations across multiple countries.

What happens next?

Investigations into the threats are continuing, while authorities have not yet identified their source or motive.

The repeated incidents over three days have raised concerns about the potential for further disruption to European aviation. Airlines and airports are expected to continue responding to alerts through established security protocols.

For now, the confirmed outcome remains that the affected aircraft landed safely and no explosives were found during the reported inspections.

For travellers monitoring international aviation developments, our UAE flight disruption coverage provides further context on airline schedule changes affecting the region.

Frequently asked questions

How many European flights were hit by bomb threats on November 5, 2026?

At least 14 flights were affected by hoax bomb threats on November 5, according to AFP and authorities. The alerts prompted diversions, military escorts and security inspections.

Which airlines were affected?

Airlines named in the reports included Ryanair, Finnair, Wizz Air and Aer Lingus. Other flights bound for Prague and Copenhagen were also targeted.

Were any explosives found on the affected planes?

No. Authorities and airlines reported that inspections found no explosives on the aircraft involved in the incidents described.

Which flights were diverted?

Three flights were diverted, including an Aer Lingus Dublin-Rome service to France, a Ryanair flight from London Stansted to Sofia that landed in Plovdiv, and a Wizz Air flight from Milan to Warsaw that was rerouted to Vienna.

Why were fighter jets scrambled?

Military aircraft were deployed to identify and escort passenger planes after bomb threats were reported. The escorts were part of established aviation security procedures.

Who is responsible for the threats?

The origin and motives of the threats have not been established publicly. Authorities have not confirmed a link to any specific country or group.

Have European flights been targeted earlier this week?

Yes. Similar threats were reported on Monday and Tuesday, with aircraft diverted or inspected. The incidents on Thursday marked the third consecutive day of aviation disruption.