Bomb threats disrupted at least 27 flights across Europe on Thursday, marking the second wave of hoaxes this week. No explosives were found on any aircraft.
French fighter jets intercepted Aer Lingus flight EI402 from Dublin to Rome, which carried over 150 passengers, and escorted it to the Évreux air base in Normandy. The French prime minister's office stated the pilot had not cooperated as expected but provided no further detail.
Bulgaria's air force escorted three airliners to the ground. In Madrid, Spanish authorities received three emailed threats in less than 20 minutes and halted, emptied, and searched Air Europa and Iberia aircraft.
Each hoax required a diversion, a ground search, and schedule reconstruction, adding to existing disruptions facing European airlines. These include conflict-driven fuel costs and closed airspace that make routine flying in Europe increasingly challenging.