What to know about the hoax bomb threats that targeted flights in Europe

Over the course of three days, dozens of flights across Europe have been targeted by hoax bomb threats, causing plane searches, diversions, emergency landings and military escorts. While the European air traffic authority maintains that overall, the threats caused minimal disruption, the situation has raised concerns among security experts.

The origin of the threats remains unclear, as no suspicious items were found and no injuries have been reported. However, the threats have come amid heightened geopolitical tensions and warnings that Russia may be increasing its so-called hybrid threats in Europe.

Three broadcasters in Europe also received security threats on Friday, suggesting the menace could be spreading beyond airports. Authorities have not attributed the threats to any group or state actor, though an email threat sent to Rome airport authorities purported to come from a group calling itself anti-feminist.

In Amsterdam, Dutch Marechaussee military police detained a man at Schiphol Airport in connection with a threat to a flight headed to Prague, though it was not confirmed if the threat was linked to other recent hoaxes. The man was released the following day after the flight had already departed.

Experts advise that travelers should not be alarmed, as national authorities have coordinated response mechanisms, including the deployment of NATO fighter jets to escort such planes. The threats are being seen as a "stress-test" of European governments' and airport officials' ability to respond, potentially "sowing chaos, uncertainty, about the reliability of air traffic across Europe" with possible cascading effects including economic damage and inspection costs.