Bomb Threats Force Fighter Escorts for Flights Across Europe

European airlines and military authorities scrambled to protect passengers on November 5 after more than a dozen flights received bomb threats on the third day of a disruptive wave. AFP reported about 20 flights affected that Thursday, with fighter aircraft dispatched by Italy, France and Bulgaria. The aircraft involved landed safely, and inspections described by officials found no explosives.

The warnings led to diversions, emergency responses and military escorts on routes crossing several European countries. The threats hit carriers including Ryanair, Aer Lingus and Finnair.

Jets escort civilian flights

An Aer Lingus flight traveling from Dublin to Rome diverted to a French military installation near Paris after receiving a threat. French authorities sent fighter aircraft and bomb-disposal teams responded after landing. The flight landed safely, and French security teams inspected the aircraft.

Italian fighter jets accompanied a Finnair flight from Helsinki toward Rome after an email warning. Bulgaria also deployed military aircraft in response to threats affecting flights bound for Sofia. Authorities reported inspections in Prague, Warsaw, Bucharest and other destinations as the warnings spread through the air-travel system.

The threats were concentrated partly on low-cost carriers and routes involving Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Italy. Some planes continued to their scheduled destinations after precautions; others were rerouted. No injuries were reported in the accounts reviewed.

Investigators face a pattern with an unknown source

Officials described several alerts as messages received by email, which forced authorities to make decisions before they could know whether a real device was present. Bomb-disposal units, airport security teams and crews were drawn into checks across multiple countries even when the final inspections produced no dangerous findings.

European investigators were working to determine whether the emailed warnings were connected. Authorities had not identified a responsible group in the reporting available on November 5.

Airlines have little latitude to dismiss an apparent threat simply because earlier messages were false. Each warning can trigger costly inspections, operational delays, passenger disruption and military responses. That is the practical vulnerability exposed even when searches turn up no dangerous device.

AFP reported at least five fighter-jet escorts during the November 5 disruption, with inspections finding no explosives on the affected aircraft. Authorities continued investigating the source of the messages.

References: Bomb threats hit European flights for third day | More than a dozen flights in Europe receive bomb threats that an official calls malicious hoaxes