Who is behind the bomb hoaxes hitting flights across Europe?

Authorities have yet to confirm who is responsible for the series of bomb hoaxes affecting European air travel this week, though experts suggest there are indications that may explain the source of the threats. Channel News Asia reports that no clear pattern has emerged regarding the specific airlines or airports targeted, but notes a significant number of affected flights were bound for or departed from Italy. Britain has characterized the latest warnings as a malicious hoax.

Multiple flights have required air force escorts following threats. In Bulgaria, the air force escorted three Ryanair planes traveling to Sofia from Madrid, Copenhagen, and London; an interior ministry spokesperson stated that no explosives were found after inspections. One Ryanair flight from London to Sofia was diverted to Plovdiv Airport, and a Wizz Air flight from Milan to Warsaw was re-routed to Vienna.

Messages sent to Sofia Airport email addresses claimed explosive devices were on the three Ryanair flights and included threats to annihilate those involved in a criminal conspiracy.

An Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome was intercepted by French fighter jets and diverted to the Evreux military base, according to the French prime minister's office. The office stated the interception was ordered after the pilot did not cooperate as expected. Evreux prosecutor Remi Coutin alleged the pilot refused to land at the military base in favor of a civilian airport, though Aer Lingus stated the airline and its pilots fully cooperated with French authorities.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Local Spain, 3News, Channel News Asia, IOL — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.