Seven passenger aircraft across Europe have been inspected following a series of suspected bomb threats, including two flights that departed from the United Kingdom. Authorities say no explosives have been discovered during the searches carried out so far.
Two Ryanair aircraft, one travelling from Dublin and another from Lisbon, were inspected after landing at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport following anonymous warnings. The flight from Dublin was escorted by the Italian Air Force before landing.
Additional aircraft were searched in Poland, Spain and Bulgaria. Although officials have not established a connection between the incidents, authorities across the affected countries are working together to determine whether the threats were part of a coordinated attempt to disrupt European air travel.
The UK government described the incidents as malicious hoax threats, adding that the country’s aviation security procedures are designed to respond to both genuine dangers and false alarms.
Aviation security expert Paul Mason described the number and geographical spread of the threats as unusual. He suggested that the manner in which they were communicated could indicate a deliberate campaign rather than unrelated incidents.
Flights diverted and airports placed on alert
In Spain, a Ryanair flight from Manchester landed in Murcia after a suspected bomb threat. Authorities confirmed that no explosives were found.
One passenger, identified as Sarah, said travellers were not informed of the threat during the flight. After landing, the aircraft stopped on the runway and remained there for approximately 30 minutes before emergency vehicles, police and bomb disposal specialists arrived.
Passengers were subsequently instructed to evacuate, leaving their belongings behind as police escorted them away from the aircraft.
Two flights heading to Warsaw were also affected, including one from London Heathrow. The Heathrow aircraft was diverted from Warsaw Chopin Airport to the smaller Modlin Airport, which was temporarily closed.
A Scandinavian Airlines flight from Copenhagen to Warsaw landed as scheduled.
Bulgaria confirms two additional threats
Bulgarian Transport Minister Georgi Peev later confirmed that two aircraft travelling to Sofia had also been targeted.
The flights originated from Bergamo in northern Italy and Dublin. Neither was diverted, and inspections found no explosives.
Bulgaria’s border police said they received an email at approximately 10:35 local time reporting a suspected improvised explosive device aboard the flight arriving from Bergamo. The same message also contained a similar warning about the aircraft travelling from Dublin.
Authorities immediately activated standard emergency procedures and established an operational headquarters involving representatives from several institutions.
Cruise ship evacuated in Greece
In a separate incident, a bomb alert prompted the evacuation of 1,537 passengers and crew from the Israel-bound cruise ship Crown Iris, which was docked at the Greek island of Syros.
Initial inspections of the Panama-flagged vessel reportedly found no explosives, according to reports citing the Greek Coast Guard. A further inspection was expected.
The maritime incident adds to a series of security alerts affecting transport across Europe.
How airlines respond to bomb threats
The latest incidents come a day after a Wizz Air flight travelling from London Luton made an emergency landing in Budapest following a bomb threat. The aircraft was escorted by a Hungarian fighter jet, but subsequent security checks found nothing suspicious.
Aviation specialists say every bomb threat must be treated seriously until investigators establish that there is no danger.
Former pilot and aviation lecturer Marco Chan explained that cabin crews may discreetly inspect areas such as toilets, galleys and storage compartments. Crew members are generally advised not to handle suspicious objects unless necessary, and specific procedures determine where an item may be moved if required.
The aircraft’s captain must also consider whether a diversion is necessary, which airports have suitable facilities and how the flight could continue if the threat proves unfounded.
Once an aircraft reaches the ground, it is typically moved to an isolated parking area. Passengers are evacuated while police and bomb disposal teams conduct a thorough inspection.
Although all the aircraft searches reported so far have produced negative results, investigations are continuing as European authorities assess whether the incidents are connected.
