Toggle Daily
Hoax threats disrupted dozens of passenger flights across Europe on November 5
November 6, 2026
Reuters reports that hoax threats disrupted dozens of passenger flights across Europe on November 5, forcing unplanned landings by some planes and prompting fighter jets to escort or intercept others, a dramatic escalation after an initial wave on Tuesday.
BBC reports that but as of Thursday evening no hard evidence had emerged linking the airline hoaxes to Russia, Iran or any proxy groups controlled by them. A series of similar threats on Tuesday included mentions of explosives on planes, briefly disrupting flights in Poland, Spain, Bulgaria and Italy, The New York Times and NYT report.
Reuters reports that hoax threats disrupted dozens of passenger flights across Europe on November 5, forcing unplanned landings by some planes and prompting fighter jets to escort or intercept others, a dramatic escalation after an initial wave on Tuesday. According to Reuters, security experts said on Thursday that the threats had the hallmarks of a coordinated "hybrid attack", although it was always possible that individuals were issuing copycat threats or acting on personal grievances. BBC reports that there was the email threat sent on Thursday morning to airport authorities in Rome, purporting to be from "Fighters of the Male State". The bomb threats on Thursday affected flights by Ryanair, Aer Lingus, Wizz Air, Finnair, EasyJet, Aegean Airlines, Iberia, Sky Express, Air Serbia, and LOT, The Irish Times reports.
BBC reports that at least 21 flights and several airports across Europe were affected by bomb threats on November 5. The Irish Times reports that almost 30 flights across Europe were affected by the threats on Thursday, with one Irish passenger describing the incident as “terrifying”. According to AP News and AP, Czech police also said they were again dealing with threats against planes on November 6. According to Reuters, Czech police said they had registered bomb threats to flights departing from and arriving in Prague. According to AP News and AP, meanwhile, police in Denmark and the Czech Republic both said they investigated threats to air traffic.
BBC reports that but as of Thursday evening no hard evidence had emerged linking the airline hoaxes to Russia, Iran or any proxy groups controlled by them. A series of similar threats on Tuesday included mentions of explosives on planes, briefly disrupting flights in Poland, Spain, Bulgaria and Italy, The New York Times and NYT report.
The New York Times and NYT agree that more threats were reported October 30 after dozens of planes were targeted earlier this week. Inquiries across Europe are continuing after almost 30 flights, including Aer Lingus and Ryanair aircraft, were disrupted by hoax bomb threats on Thursday, The Irish Times reports. According to The New York Times and NYT, the office of the French prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, said on Friday that bomb disposal teams were conducting security inspections on at least four flights over French territory that had landed safely.
Still developing
The Irish Times reports that Inquiries across Europe are continuing after almost 30 flights, including Aer Lingus and Ryanair aircraft, were disrupted by hoax bomb threats on Thursday. According to The New York Times and NYT, the office of the French prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, said on Friday that bomb disposal teams were conducting security inspections on at least four flights over French territory that had landed safely.
How settled the reporting is
Sources
- BBC — Who could be behind hoax bomb threats to European air travel?
- The Irish Times — Aer Lingus pilot under investigation for refusing to land at French base after bomb threat
- AP News — European air traffic targeted by new threats | AP News
- The New York Times — What to Know About the Bomb Threats Disrupting Flights in Europe - The New York Times
- Reuters — Wave of bomb threats afflict European flights for third time this week | Reuters
Toggle read the full reports of 5 of the 8 outlets counted on this event. The other 3 are counted from their headlines and opening sentences.