Bomb threats disrupt European flights; searches find no devices

Airlines and airport authorities across Europe dealt with bomb threats affecting at least four passenger flights on November 3, with incidents involving services to Poland, Bulgaria and Spain. The threats prompted diversions, searches and airport restrictions; The Straits Times reported that no confirmed explosive devices were discovered.¹²³

Checks at Warsaw airports

A LOT service from London bound for Warsaw’s Chopin airport was redirected to Modlin, where it was searched. According to the BBC, the flight had departed from Heathrow and carried 118 people. Its unscheduled arrival led to a temporary closure of Modlin airport.¹²³

The Straits Times reported that Modlin reopened after the search found no device. The BBC also reported that operations had resumed, although the area around the parked aircraft remained cordoned off. The reopening followed the interruption caused by checks on the diverted passenger flight.¹²

A separate SAS service from Copenhagen arrived at Chopin as scheduled and underwent checks, according to the BBC and The Straits Times. The BBC reported that it landed safely and everyone disembarked. The Straits Times said no device was found and Chopin remained operational.¹²

Responses in Spain and Bulgaria

In Spain, a suspected threat involving a Ryanair flight from Manchester to Murcia prompted security procedures at Murcia-Corvera Airport. The BBC reported that 121 people, including crew, were aboard and that the local fire brigade had been mobilised as the aircraft was inspected.¹

Parts of the airport were cordoned off, according to The Straits Times. Its report said the threat was subsequently determined to be a hoax, no explosives were found aboard the Ryanair aircraft and normal airport operations resumed.²

A flight from Israel landed in Sofia after a bomb threat arrived by email. The BBC and The Straits Times reported that counter-terrorism teams were checking the aircraft for possible explosives. The BBC said it was unclear whether the four incidents were connected.¹²³

Another diversion to Budapest

The Straits Times also described a threat the previous day involving a Wizz Air service from London to Sofia, which was diverted to Budapest. The BBC reported that a Hungarian fighter jet escorted the aircraft and that subsequent security checks found nothing.¹²