By Stephen Simon
A wave of bomb threats targeting aircraft and airports across Europe has disrupted air travel, forcing flight diversions, emergency landings and heightened security checks.
More than 30 flights were reportedly affected during the week, with several airlines and airports across the continent responding to threats that authorities have largely described as hoaxes.
The incidents affected flights operated by airlines including Ryanair, Aer Lingus, Air Europa, Iberia, Austrian Airlines and Wizz Air, among others.
Some aircraft were diverted or escorted by military fighter jets, while passengers were evacuated or asked to disembark as security personnel carried out inspections.
Airports and aviation authorities in countries including Italy, Spain, France, Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, Belgium, Austria and the United Kingdom were among those affected.
On Friday, fresh threats were reported in Denmark and the Czech Republic. A Romanian Tarom flight travelling from Prague to Bucharest received a bomb threat but landed safely, with authorities subsequently describing the alert as false.
Copenhagen police also responded to threats at the airport for a second consecutive day, while Czech authorities introduced security measures at Prague’s Vaclav Havel Airport.
Most of the affected aircraft landed safely, and inspections did not uncover explosives or suspicious items.
The incidents have raised fresh concerns over aviation security and the disruption that false threats can cause to passengers, airlines and airport operations across Europe.
