Bomb threat forces Tel Aviv flight to divert to Bulgaria

A bomb threat against an Austrian Airlines flight from Tel Aviv to Vienna prompted an emergency landing in Sofia, Bulgaria, according to Bulgarian authorities and the airline. The aircraft, an Airbus A320 registered OE-LZE, reportedly received the threat as it approached Romania, leading to a diversion south towards Bulgaria. Bulgarian transport ministry officials confirmed the diversion and stated that passengers were safely evacuated from the plane after it landed in Sofia.

The Bulgarian air force deployed a MiG-29 fighter jet to escort the airliner, following standard procedures. An estimated 51 passengers and six crew members were aboard the flight. Following the safe landing, a thorough security search of the aircraft was conducted. Once complete, the passengers will be rebooked onto alternative flights as soon as possible.

Flightradar24 data and ADS-B Exchange reports indicate that the aircraft entered Romanian airspace around 9:10 PM before turning south and heading back towards Bulgaria, where it landed in Sofia. The transport ministry has established a crisis response team and launched an investigation into the incident.