French authorities have opened an investigation into an Aer Lingus pilot after flight EI402, travelling from Dublin to Rome, was diverted to the Évreux military airfield on 5 November following a bomb threat. Prosecutors are examining an allegation that the pilot initially resisted the instruction to land there, preferring a civilian airport. The aircraft landed safely, and no explosives were found.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s office said fighter jets were ordered to intercept and escort the aircraft after the pilot did not cooperate as expected. The Évreux prosecutor’s office confirmed the investigation; the allegation has not been established as wrongdoing, and prosecutors have not disclosed what action may follow.
Aer Lingus said its pilots cooperated with French authorities and that their engagement with them had concluded. The case concerns the crew’s response to an instruction to land at a military airfield during an in-flight security alert.