Authorities in multiple European countries responded to a series of bomb threats targeting commercial flights on Wednesday, Nov. 4, and Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026. According to government officials and airline reports, the threats resulted in several emergency landings and diversions across the continent, though no hazardous materials have been identified in subsequent inspections. The UK government confirmed that threats reported regarding Heathrow and Birmingham airports were resolved without impacting flight schedules.
These events followed a series of similar threats reported earlier in the same week. The increase in hoax alerts occurred alongside reported cyberattacks on other European infrastructure, including blood banks and supermarket refrigeration systems. Aviation authorities and law enforcement agencies, including the Metropolitan Police’s Aviation Policing Command, stated they are monitoring the situation and treating all reports as credible until proven otherwise.
On Thursday morning, an Aer Lingus flight traveling from Dublin to Rome diverted to Evreux airport near Paris as a security precaution. In Bulgaria, the transport ministry reported that aircraft made emergency landings at Sofia and Plovdiv airports, including a Ryanair flight from London. After inspections, the ministry confirmed no issues were found and operations returned to normal. Finnair reported that two of its flights, traveling from Helsinki to Rome and Vienna, were targets of unfounded threats but landed safely at their intended destinations. A Wizz Air flight from Milan to Bucharest also landed safely in the Romanian capital following a threat, according to the Romanian intelligence agency. A LOT Polish Airlines flight was also diverted to Warsaw Modlin Airport following a threat.
The disruptions have broader implications for the European aviation market and national security protocols. The UK government noted that the events test the robustness of aviation security systems and "well-tested processes" for malicious hoaxes. In at least one instance involving a flight to Rome, the Italian Air Force deployed jets to escort a commercial aircraft, highlighting the mobilization of military resources in response to these alerts.
Law enforcement agencies and intelligence services are currently keeping the situation under review to determine the origin of these threats. As of Thursday, Nov. 5, the Metropolitan Police and relevant European authorities have not announced any arrests or identified specific suspects. Airport operations at the affected sites in Bulgaria and the UK have returned to normal schedules, but monitoring remains in effect. Authorities have not indicated whether additional security measures will be implemented for future flights.