Several flights across Europe were targeted by bomb threats on Tuesday, triggering security alerts, airport disruption and the deployment of military aircraft, although all affected planes landed safely and no explosives were found.
About 10 flights were reportedly targeted within a few hours. The incidents prompted the temporary closure of a runway at Warsaw Chopin Airport and the scrambling of Italian Air Force jets to escort a passenger aircraft approaching Rome.
Irish budget airline Ryanair appeared to be among the most affected carriers, with four of its flights reportedly receiving threats.
London’s Metropolitan Police said it had received information about threats involving four aircraft scheduled to depart from or arrive at Heathrow Airport. A separate warning was also reported concerning a flight at Manchester Airport.
Following security checks, the police said no security issues had been identified.
Two warnings also involved flights bound for Warsaw. They included a Scandinavian Airlines service from Copenhagen and a LOT Polish Airlines flight from Heathrow.
In Spain, airport operator Aena confirmed that emergency procedures were activated following a bomb alert on a Ryanair flight that landed in Murcia. Other affected Ryanair services included flights from Lisbon to Rome, Dublin to Rome and Dublin to Sofia.
Italian Air Force aircraft were deployed to escort the Ryanair flight from Dublin as it approached Rome-Fiumicino Airport. Security procedures were also activated after an earlier Ryanair flight arrived at the airport. Passengers, luggage and the aircraft were searched, but the checks returned negative results and the alert was lifted.
In Poland, Warsaw Chopin Airport temporarily closed one runway while a plane underwent security inspection. A LOT flight was also diverted to Warsaw Modlin Airport, which was briefly closed following the warning.
The incidents followed another bomb threat on Monday involving a Wizz Air flight travelling from London Luton Airport to Sofia. The aircraft was diverted and made an emergency landing in Budapest, where security checks were carried out.
The series of alerts prompted security responses at several airports, although authorities reported no explosives discovered on the affected aircraft.
Deborah Adeyefa
