At least 18 passenger flights across nine European countries were disrupted by bomb threat alerts on November 6, 2026. Flights were grounded or diverted in Italy, Poland, Spain, France, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Cyprus, Romania, the United Kingdom, and Portugal.
Several flights connected to Václav Havel Airport Prague were threatened, affecting nine flights on the same day. A Wizz Air flight from Prague to Rome was diverted to Venice where authorities conducted inspections and evacuated passengers. French authorities confirmed four bomb threats on aircraft flying over France, with all landing safely at Paris Orly Airport for police searches. Bulgarian officials
inspected two flights arriving in Sofia after alerts. Portuguese police conducted security checks on a Ryanair flight linked to the Lisbon–Rome route, finding no explosives. Danish police carried out precautionary checks at Copenhagen Airport following threat reports.
Security Responses and Military Escorts
The Hungarian Air Force deployed Gripen fighter jets to escort three civilian aircraft within Hungarian airspace. The earliest escort began at 9:48 a.m. for a flight from Brussels to Sofia. At 10:33 a.m., escorts were provided to two planes departing Prague bound for Cyprus and Bucharest. The Hungarian Ministry of Defence stated that these actions were carried out under NATO’s airspace protection system.
Czech Police collaborated with Václav Havel Airport Prague authorities to implement necessary security measures, which resulted in limited operational disruption.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s office verified four bomb threats on planes over France registering safe landings at Paris Orly Airport where bomb disposal teams inspected the aircraft. Bulgarian Ministry of Transport confirmed threats on flights arriving in Sofia from Brussels and London Stansted Airport. Portuguese police inspected a Ryanair aircraft with no findings of explosives. Danish Police confirmed their presence at Copenhagen Airport as precautionary, stating no danger to passengers. Eurocontrol coordinated with airlines, airports, and navigation service providers
to mitigate disruption amid the threat incidents.
Flight Impact and Official Statements
No explosives were found after security searches following all bomb threat alerts. Passengers on affected flights experienced diversions, evacuations, and additional inspections upon landing. For instance, Wizz Air’s diversion to Venice briefly suspended airport operations for security checks. In Bulgaria and Portugal, passengers faced extra procedures and changes in travel plans due to inspections. Václav Havel Airport Prague maintained mostly normal operations despite the multiple threats.
European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas confirmed the activation of an EU-wide aviation security information-sharing mechanism in response to the recurrent threats. He described
attacks against civilian flights as unacceptable and called for enhanced cooperation among member states, police, airports, and airlines. The European Commission referred to Regulation (EC) No 300/2008, which governs aviation security standards across EU states to ensure uniform screening and control procedures.
Flight Data and Threat Background
Eurocontrol reported 26,709 scheduled flights across Europe on November 6, 2026. Of these, at least 18, or approximately 0.067%, were affected by bomb threat alerts. Eurocontrol had also logged earlier incidents, including 14 flights on November 5 and 7 flights on November 3. Bomb threats targeted flights linked to Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Italy, Cyprus, Romania, United
Kingdom, and Portugal.
Authorities have not established confirmed links between the multiple threats. An email claiming responsibility by a self-described anti-feminist group targeting a “feminist regime” was received by Rome airport officials and another European airport; however, no official attribution or connection among incidents has been made. Speculation continues concerning possible hybrid threats amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
Authorities and Industry Response
Hungarian Ministry of Defence announced military fighter jet escorts as part of NATO airspace defense. Czech Police reported effective security measures at Václav Havel Airport Prague with limited impact on operations. Portuguese Police confirmed inspection of the Ryanair Lisbon–Rome flight found no explosives.
Danish Police stated their presence at Copenhagen Airport was precautionary without passenger danger. Eurocontrol remains engaged with airlines and airports to limit delays and disruptions.
Paul Reuter, Vice President of the European Cockpit Association, condemned the use of civil aviation for hoaxes or geopolitical disruptions as entirely unacceptable. European authorities continue to strengthen cooperation and data sharing within existing legal frameworks to respond swiftly and effectively to recurrent threats against the aviation sector.
