Bomb threats disrupted four passenger flights across Europe on Tuesday, forcing one airport closure in Poland and an emergency landing in Spain, as the continent faced a third consecutive day of aviation scares. All aircraft landed safely and no explosives were found, according to authorities.
The incidents began with SAS Scandinavian Airlines flight SK751 from Copenhagen to Warsaw, which landed normally at Chopin Airport, the Polish capital's main hub. A runway was temporarily closed while security teams searched the aircraft. "The aircraft landed normally in Warsaw and the passengers have disembarked," the carrier said after confirming a threat had been made.
A second flight, a LOT Polish Airlines Boeing 737 MAX from London Heathrow, was diverted to Warsaw Modlin, the city's secondary airport, which was closed during the alert. "The passengers were evacuated and the plane underwent security checks. Nothing was found," Modlin spokesman Adam Szablowski told AFP, adding that the airport had since reopened and was operating normally.
In Spain, airport operator Aena activated an emergency protocol "due to a bomb alert" on a Ryanair flight from Manchester to Murcia in the southeast. The plane landed without incident, and the emergency plan was stood down after the Civil Guard inspected the aircraft.
The fourth flight was a Wizz Air service from Bergamo in northern Italy, which was inspected after landing in Sofia, Bulgaria, at 10:10 CET, according to a spokesperson for Bulgaria's interior ministry.
Escalating pattern of threats
The incidents came a day after NATO's air defence alert service raised the alarm over another Wizz Air flight from London Luton to Sofia. That plane was diverted and made an emergency landing in Budapest. "The Hungarian Defence Forces' Gripen fighter jets took to the air within minutes and ensured the safe landing of the passenger aircraft in Budapest," Hungarian Defence Minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi said on Facebook.
While no explosives have been found in any of the recent cases, the repeated disruptions have raised concerns about the vulnerability of European aviation to hoax threats. Security experts note that such scares can cause significant economic and logistical damage, even when they prove to be false alarms.
The incidents also come amid heightened security awareness across the continent, with Russia's ongoing attacks on Ukraine and broader geopolitical tensions. European authorities have been on alert for potential hybrid threats, including cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns.
In recent weeks, European airports and airlines have faced a series of similar threats, prompting calls for better coordination and intelligence sharing. The European Union has been working on strengthening aviation security measures, though no specific policy changes have been announced in response to this week's events.
For passengers, the disruptions have caused delays and anxiety, but airlines have praised the swift response of security forces. "The safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority," a Ryanair spokesperson said, adding that the airline was cooperating fully with authorities.
As the investigation into the threats continues, European aviation officials are urging calm while remaining vigilant. The incidents highlight the need for robust security protocols and international cooperation to counter such disruptions, which can have ripple effects across the continent's travel network.
