At least nineteen flights across Europe were disrupted by bomb threats on November 5, 2026, forcing emergency landings and diversions. None of the incidents involved explosives or injuries, but the warnings caused widespread operational delays and heightened security responses.
Aer Lingus Flight Diverted to French Military Airbase
Aer Lingus Flight EI402, carrying 151 passengers and six crew, diverted from its Dublin to Rome route to the Évreux-Fauville Air Base in Normandy, France, after receiving a bomb threat. The flight declared an in-flight emergency near Paris and circled over Évreux until landing safely. The French prime minister’s office monitored the situation in real time and confirmed that bomb disposal
teams inspected the aircraft and evacuated all onboard without incident.
Ryanair and Wizz Air Flights Rerouted With Security Escorts
Ryanair flight FR1730, scheduled to depart London Stansted at 6:00 am GMT and land at Sofia at 9:25 am GMT, was diverted to Plovdiv, Bulgaria, due to a bomb threat. Bulgarian fighter jets MiG-29 escorted the aircraft during the diversion. Meanwhile, a Wizz Air flight originally traveling from Milan Malpensa Airport to Warsaw was rerouted to Vienna following a hoax bomb threat. Wizz Air reported that the diversion complied with standard safety protocols prioritizing passenger and crew security.
Additional Flights Affected at Prague, UK, and Bulgarian Airports
Czech police prepared emergency landings for four flights headed to Prague Airport
after bomb threats but found no explosives on pyrotechnic inspections. Bulgarian aviation authorities responded to three separate security alerts for flights arriving in Sofia, evacuating passengers and inspecting cargo and cabins before clearing the aircraft. UK airports Heathrow and Birmingham received bomb threats yet continued normal operations after assessing these threats as not credible.
Official Responses and Threat Investigations
The UK Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, described the bomb warnings as malicious hoaxes and confirmed established response procedures remain effective. Czech police classified the threats as low relevance but maintained enhanced security measures. The French prime minister’s office validated the evacuation and safe handling of Aer
Lingus Flight EI402. The British Airline Pilots Association noted the aviation industry’s longstanding preparedness against bomb threats. European authorities have launched joint investigations to determine the origin of these threats.
The bombing threats align with a recent pattern that began two days earlier, when at least seven flights and a cruise ship also reported false threats. No explosives were detected in any instance, and no group has claimed verified responsibility. The threats referenced a group calling itself “Fighters of the Male State,” targeting a “feminist regime,” but authorities caution the credibility of these claims remains low.
Passenger Experience and Operational Impact
Passengers on diverted flights
such as Aer Lingus EI402 and Ryanair FR1730 were safely evacuated or rerouted with no injuries reported. The emergency procedures and aircraft inspections caused delays and airport congestion at affected hubs. Security perimeter clearances and baggage rescreenings followed the alerts, contributing to localized airport slowdowns. Nevertheless, flights at major UK airports continued without interruption despite bomb threat warnings.
