6 Nov 2026

 

A series of bomb threats against passenger aircraft across Europe has prompted emergency security checks and disrupted air travel across the region. The incidents led to the temporary closure of an airport near Warsaw, Poland and the deployment of Italian Air Force fighter jets to escort a Ryanair flight into Rome.

On November 2, 2026, a Wizz Air flight from London Luton Airport  to Sofia, the Bulgarian capital, was diverted to Budapest after a bomb threat was reported while in flight. The following day, at least seven flights and a cruise ship bound for Israel were reportedly targeted by similar threats. However, authorities reported that no explosives were found during subsequent searches.

Two Ryanair aircraft, including one arriving from Dublin under escort by the Italian Air Force fighter jets, were searched after landing at Rome's Fiumicino Airport. No explosives were found on either aircraft. Two other flights, including one diverted after departing London Heathrow, underwent security inspections in Warsaw. The operation prompted the temporary closure of an airport near the Polish capital.

Two additional flights were inspected after landing in Sofia.  In Murcia, Spain, local officials confirmed that a search of a Ryanair flight from Manchester had uncovered no explosives. All bomb threats reported on November 3 ultimately proved to be hoaxes. 

On November 5, more than two dozen flights across Europe were reportedly affected by further false bomb threats, causing further disruption to air traffic. The following day, an individual identifying himself as "Mikhail Andropov" sent threatening emails titled "Message to the West" to Bulgaria's Nova TV and Ireland's national broadcaster, RTÉ. The messages warned of further disruptions across Europe.

Eurocontrol, the European air traffic management network manager, said it was closely monitoring the situation and working with airlines, airports, and air navigation service providers to "mitigate any disruption to air traffic flows."