Here’s what happens when airlines receive bomb threats

The recent series of bomb threats targeting airlines in Europe has resulted in hundreds of passengers facing flight diversions or military escort. Officials have determined these threats to be malicious hoaxes, though the perpetrators remain unidentified.

The assessment process involves determining whether a threat is credible, partially credible, or not credible. If deemed credible, pilots are immediately informed and guided by a safety checklist. If the plane is on the ground, evacuation may be necessary, while in flight, landing as safely as possible takes priority.

Pilots, trained professionals, are crucial in ensuring passenger safety. Airlines, airports, and law enforcement follow guidelines set by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Training for flight crews includes live exercises simulating various threats. When bomb threats are received, airline employees are instructed to keep the caller on the line and gather as much information as possible.

Many of the threats this week were sent via email, providing authorities with sufficient information to determine that an aircraft needs inspection. This can be costly for airlines, with costs up to $250,000 for diverting a flight due to unruly passengers or bomb threats.

Experts suggest these threats aim to create chaos and uncertainty in European air traffic, possibly testing the response time and coordination among authorities in different countries. The intent may be to identify weaknesses for potential future attacks, akin to a "stress test" of the system.