New wave of bomb threats hits passenger flights across Europe

European airlines faced a wave of bomb threats on Thursday, prompting numerous aircraft to make emergency landings or escorted approaches as a security precaution. The incidents occurred across multiple countries, though none of the threats were confirmed as genuine. While no nation has taken responsibility, European officials have been pointing fingers at Russia and Iran for what they've labeled "hybrid attacks." Both countries have denied involvement.

Aer Lingus flight EI402 from Dublin to Rome, for instance, was diverted and safely landed in Evreux, France, after receiving a bomb threat. Similarly, Bulgarian officials reported three emergency landings due to bomb threats, with airplanes flying from Copenhagen and Madrid also landing safely in Sofia. The Czech, Italian, and Polish authorities also reported bomb threats, with Czech police assessing the credibility of the threats as low despite four airplanes bound for Prague receiving such warnings.

International carriers like Finnair and LOT Airlines also reported bomb threats on their flights. Finnair's plane from Helsinki to Rome landed normally in Vienna, while a LOT Airlines flight from Warsaw to Brussels landed in Brussels as planned. Wizz Air's flight from Milan to Warsaw, however, had to divert to Vienna due to a bomb threat.

This surge in bomb threats follows a series of similar incidents on Tuesday, with at least seven flights and a cruise ship receiving such warnings in various European countries. Some cybersecurity experts suggest that these hoax threats might be part of a pattern, aiming to disrupt operations and test how airlines, airports, and national authorities respond.

Eliran Almog, CEO of aviation cybersecurity firm Cyviation, noted that these disruptions, like recent cyberattacks on supermarket refrigeration systems, carry economic costs and can undermine public confidence.