Hoax bomb threats target European airlines and airports
At least 21 aircraft and several airports across Europe were targeted by bomb threats in the second such incident this week, according to BBC News.
At least 21 aircraft and several airports across Europe were targeted by bomb threats in the second such incident this week, according to BBC News. The threats affected flights to Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Poland and Romania.
In Italy, Aeroporti di Roma, which manages Rome's airports, confirmed that two inbound flights received email threats on Thursday. The emails were signed by a group calling themselves "Fighters of the Male State," claiming to target a "feminist regime."
An Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome diverted to an air base in Normandy, France, while a Finnair flight from Helsinki to Rome was escorted by Italian fighter jets. Wizz Air reported that one flight from Milan diverted to Vienna, while another landed in Bucharest for inspections.
In Bulgaria, three Ryanair flights were escorted by air force fighter jets. Czech police said no explosives were found on four flights that landed in Prague, which included EasyJet services from Newcastle and Glasgow.
UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described the incidents as "malicious hoax threats." London Heathrow and Birmingham airports also received threats, though Heathrow stated the threat was "deemed not credible" and posed no risk to passengers or aircraft.
A UK government spokesperson said the threats reported in the early hours of Thursday had been resolved. No explosives have been found during any of the searches, and it remains unclear if the incidents are related.