European aviation: New bomb threats trigger diversions

European airlines managed a second round of bomb threats on Friday, resulting in ground searches and mid-air diversions. Authorities confirmed that no explosives were recovered and no passengers or crew were injured. The incidents followed a busy week in which more than two dozen flights were disrupted by similar hoax reports.

Hungarian Defense Minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi stated that fighter jets escorted three passenger aircraft after they received threats. The planes were en route from Brussels to Sofia, Prague to Cyprus, and from Romania. In France, officials reported that four aircraft flying over the country received warnings. Those planes landed safely at Paris Orly Airport, where specialists conducted inspections of the cabins.

Additional threats targeted specific routes across the continent. A Tarom flight traveling from Prague to Bucharest and a Ryanair service from Lisbon to Rome were among those affected. A Wizz Air flight from Prague to Rome diverted to Venice. Airport staff evacuated the passengers after landing, which caused a temporary halt to traffic at the terminal. Searches of the aircraft yielded no explosives.

At Prague Airport, spokesperson Denisa Hejtmánková reported that nine flights received threats. Police indicated that their response had a limited impact on general airport operations. In Copenhagen, police visited the airport for the second consecutive day following air traffic threats. Officers stated there was no immediate danger to passengers or airport personnel.

Context for the recent spike in threats includes an email sent Thursday to Rome airport authorities. The message, which appeared to originate from an anti-feminist group, claimed the group was targeting a "feminist regime." A separate European airport received a threat with similar wording, though it is unclear if the same sender was responsible. Officials have not yet linked the threats to a specific group or government, though they arrive amid warnings that Russia may be increasing hybrid threats in the region.

Paul Reuter, vice president of the European Cockpit Association, noted that pilots prepare for such events by reviewing procedures and carrying extra fuel. He described the use of aviation to cause disruption as "totally unacceptable." The threats also extended to media organizations. RTÉ headquarters in Dublin was evacuated on Friday, forcing the broadcaster to replace live programs with prerecorded content. U.K. based Sky News also reported a security threat but remained on air while working with authorities.

Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said the threats demonstrated how easily daily life could be disrupted. He announced that Dublin would host a "very significant security operation" next week, coinciding with meetings of European leaders in the capital.