On November 3, 2026, at least seven flights across Europe experienced bomb threats, triggering airport disruptions and flight delays. The affected routes included two flights to Warsaw, two flights to Sofia, two to Rome, and one to Murcia in Spain, with all security inspections finding no explosives.
Flights and Routes Affected
A LOT Airlines flight from London destined for Warsaw’s Chopin Airport was diverted to Warsaw’s Modlin Airport, which was temporarily closed during the search. A SAS flight from Copenhagen to Warsaw landed safely at Chopin Airport without incident. Two flights to Sofia were targeted: a Wizz Air flight from Milan/Bergamo carrying 176 passengers
and a Ryanair flight from Dublin with 186 passengers; both landed safely after security checks. Additionally, a Ryanair flight from Manchester to Murcia, Spain, was threatened, resulting in a partial lockdown of Murcia Airport.
At Rome Fiumicino Airport, two Ryanair flights—one from Lisbon and one from Dublin—were subjected to security searches following bomb threats. The Dublin flight was escorted by the Italian Air Force upon landing. All flights were cleared, and normal operations resumed at Fiumicino.
Security Responses and Findings
Security teams deployed explosives detection dogs and divers to inspect the Panama-flagged cruise ship Crown Iris at Syros Island, Greece, after a bomb threat.
No devices were found. Warsaw’s Chopin Airport briefly shut down due to the threats but reopened following thorough searches. Similarly, Modlin Airport reopened after the diverted LOT flight was cleared. Murcia Airport lifted its partial lockdown after security confirmed the Ryanair flight was free of explosives.
On November 2, a Wizz Air flight from London to Sofia was diverted to Budapest Airport after receiving a bomb threat, confirmed by Hungarian Defence Minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi.
Official Statements
Bulgaria’s transport ministry confirmed the bomb threats on flights from Milan/Bergamo and Dublin to Sofia, stating that no explosives were found onboard. Chopin Airport authorities affirmed
the airport remained operational post-search and found no devices. The Italian airport operator ADR verified that Ryanair flights at Rome Fiumicino were searched following threats, with normal operations continuing thereafter.
Context and Expert Analysis
Authorities have not identified any responsible groups, nor attributed blame for the threats. European officials have previously linked hybrid attacks and sabotage to Russia and Iran, accusations both nations deny. Security experts view these bomb threat hoaxes as part of a pattern of low-cost, deniable disruption tactics targeting Europe’s critical infrastructure. The threats occurred amid recent cyberattacks disabling supermarket refrigeration across several European countries.
Rhys Jones, Analysis Output Manager at
Osprey Flight Solutions, described the occurrence of seven confirmed bomb threats in one day as exceptional, noting: “The lack of clear target state, airline, or route indicates that general disruption to aviation operations is the aim.” Eric Schouten, head of aviation security group Dyami, added, “From railways to the food infrastructure that you see happening with the fridges being hacked and all kinds of other operations, it does fit the narrative of Russian state actors who want to disturb Europe.”
