At least 14 commercial flights across Europe were targeted by bomb threats on 5 November, prompting diversions, aircraft inspections and military escorts. Aer Lingus flight EI402 from Dublin to Rome diverted to Évreux air base in France, while Italian fighters escorted Finnair flight AY1761 from Helsinki to Rome. Ryanair and Wizz Air flights were also affected. No explosives were found on the aircraft inspected, and the threats’ origin and motive remain unknown.
Authorities reported incidents involving flights in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Austria and Romania, as well as France and Italy. Three Ryanair flights bound for Sofia were targeted; one diverted to Plovdiv, while two landed in Sofia. Czech police received threats against four aircraft approaching Prague and arranged inspections after they landed. The responses involved airlines, airport operators, police, bomb-disposal teams and military forces.
More than 20 hoax threats were reported during the week, following similar alerts on 2 and 3 November. Although the incidents have prompted speculation about hybrid warfare, there is no evidence linking the bomb threats to recent drone-related disruption at European airports, or identifying a common source. Even unsubstantiated alerts required security checks and, in some cases, diverted aircraft or fighter escorts, disrupting airline operations.