At least seven flights and the Panama-flagged Crown Iris cruise ship received bomb threats on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, across Europe, triggering security responses at multiple airports and ports. No explosive devices were discovered during thorough inspections at these locations.
Flights and Security Measures on Targeted Routes
Flights impacted included two to Warsaw Chopin Airport, two to Sofia Airport in Bulgaria, two to Rome Fiumicino Airport, and one to Murcia Airport in Spain. An additional flight to Sofia was threatened the previous day, November 2.
LOT Polish Airlines diverted its flight from London to Warsaw to Modlin Airport for security checks; the plane was cleared, and Modlin
subsequently reopened after the temporary closure. A SAS flight from Copenhagen to Warsaw landed on schedule at Chopin Airport and was searched without findings.
Bulgaria’s transport ministry confirmed bomb threats on two flights to Sofia: a Wizz Air Milan/Bergamo to Sofia flight carrying 176 passengers, and a Ryanair Dublin to Sofia flight with 186 passengers. Both flights landed safely and were inspected with no explosives detected.
The day prior, a Wizz Air London to Sofia flight was diverted to Budapest following a bomb threat, according to Hungary’s Defence Minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi.
A Ryanair flight from Manchester to Murcia Airport triggered
a bomb threat alert that led to cordoning off parts of the airport; authorities dismissed it as a hoax after searches found no explosives.
Two additional Ryanair flights arriving at Rome Fiumicino from Lisbon and Dublin underwent security searches. The Dublin flight was escorted by the Italian Air Force during its landing. The airport operator ADR reported no further operational impacts after clearing the alerts.
The Crown Iris cruise ship was searched at Syros Island in Greece for explosive devices after a threat indicated a device might be attached to its hull. Initial searches found no device, with further inspections
planned before the vessel resumes sailing.
Official Statements and Airport Operations
Chopin Airport authorities confirmed no explosives were found and that operations continued normally following the security responses. Bulgaria’s transport ministry also confirmed the threats and related searches on flights to Sofia.
Hungary’s Defence Minister confirmed the November 2 diversion of the Wizz Air flight to Budapest. Rome Fiumicino’s airport operator ADR verified the searches on Ryanair flights but stated the airport maintained usual operations throughout.
Expert Analysis on Threat Pattern and Motives
Rhys Jones, Analysis Output Manager at Osprey Flight Solutions, described the seven confirmed bomb threats in one day as highly unusual. He noted no specific state, airline, or route
was targeted, indicating the threats aimed at causing general disruptions to European aviation.
Eric Schouten, head of the aviation security group Dyami, linked the incidents to similar disruptive campaigns attributed to Russian state actors, citing recent sabotage attempts against European infrastructure such as hacked supermarket fridges.
Context of Hybrid Attacks and Unclaimed Responsibility
European officials have recently highlighted hybrid attacks and sabotage targeting critical infrastructure. Russia and Iran have been blamed for such campaigns, though both countries deny involvement.
No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the bomb threats on November 3. Authorities have refrained from assigning blame but emphasize the threats appeared designed to cause
widespread disturbance rather than focus on specific targets.
