Multiple bomb threats on November 5, 2026, led to emergency diversions, delays, and evacuations affecting at least 18 flights across Europe, including Ryanair and Aer Lingus routes. No explosives were found, but security operations impacted airports in France, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Austria, Poland, Italy, and the UK.
Aer Lingus Flight Diverted to French Military Base
Aer Lingus Flight EI402, carrying 151 passengers and six crew, was diverted to the Évreux-Fauville Air Base in Normandy after a bomb threat was received. The aircraft, en route from Dublin to Rome, circled near Évreux following an in-flight emergency declaration. French authorities deployed bomb disposal teams to inspect the aircraft, and the
French Prime Minister’s Office monitored the event in real time. All passengers and crew were safely evacuated. There were no explosives found during inspections.
Ryanair Flight in Bulgaria Escorted by Fighter Jets
Ryanair flight FR1730 departed London Stansted at 6:00 am and was scheduled to arrive in Sofia at 9:25 am GMT. Due to a bomb threat, the aircraft was diverted to Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Bulgarian Air Force MiG-29 fighter jets escorted the Ryanair flight amid heightened security measures. Bulgarian aviation authorities handled three separate bomb threat alerts on flights inbound to Sofia, including Ryanair services arriving from Copenhagen and Madrid. All affected flights underwent evacuations and pyrotechnic inspections
with no suspicious items found.
Wizz Air and Other Flights Affected Across Europe
Wizz Air’s flight from Milan Malpensa to Warsaw was diverted to Vienna after a bomb threat was reported onboard. Czech police prepared for emergency landings of four aircraft at Prague Airport on the same day, responding to similar threats. The Czech police ruled the threats as low credibility but maintained strict security protocols including post-landing pyrotechnic inspections. Airports in Birmingham and Heathrow in the UK also received bomb threat alerts; however, operations at these airports continued normally.
Authorities Respond to Threats and Continue Investigations
Bomb threats on November 5, 2026, were sent via email by a group calling itself “Fighters of the
Male State,” who claimed motives targeting a “feminist regime,” according to Italian authorities. Law enforcement agencies, including Bulgarian, Czech, French, and UK officials, treated the threats seriously but assessed them as malicious hoaxes with low credibility. Security teams implemented established emergency protocols involving evacuations, perimeter clearances, re-screening of baggage and vehicles, and coordination with military escorts where necessary.
UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander referred to the threats as malicious hoaxes and affirmed the robustness of security processes after confirming several flights, including some departing from London Stansted, faced disruptions. The British Airline Pilots Association emphasized their standard threat assessment system
and pilot procedures for handling credible bomb threats to ensure passenger safety.
