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Bomb threat diverts planes flying over Europe in second such event this week
On Thursday, November 5, 2026, Aer Lingus flight EI402 from Dublin to Rome diverted to the Évreux-Fauville Air Base in Normandy after receiving a bomb threat. Military bomb-disposal teams confirmed all 151 passengers and 6 crew landed safely without explosives.
Since November 2, 2026, at least 16 hoax bomb threats have targeted commercial flights across Europe, prompting authorities to activate security protocols including fighter jet scrambles and emergency runway inspections.
French Air Force fighters intercepted the Airbus A320, which circled near Paris before making an emergency landing. Aer Lingus described the diversion as a security precaution while specialized teams searched the plane.
Officials confirmed no explosive devices were found on any targeted aircraft, treating the alerts as malicious hoaxes. European authorities continue investigating the coordinated disruption amid heightened security across the region.
Mirroring recent cyberattacks on supermarket refrigeration systems, experts suggest these threats form part of a low-cost "hybrid" campaign to destabilize European infrastructure. European officials remain vigilant against such psychological disruption tactics.