False Bomb Threats Hit at Least 35 Aircraft Across Europe; No Explosives Found
In early November, reports of planted explosives were received for at least 35 passenger aircraft in Europe, but no device was found. The incidents affected at least 16 countries, and four countries scrambled fighter jets to escort planes.
In the first week of November 2026, European airspace saw an unusual wave of false bomb threats: reports emerged of supposedly planted explosives on dozens of passenger aircraft flying routes in Europe. No explosives were found in any case, but the warnings forced aircraft to change course and passengers to be evacuated. Four countries scrambled fighter jets to escort the planes. The events raise the question of how easily Europe's entire aviation system can be shaken by just a few emails.
The first case
On Monday, 2 November, a passenger plane of the airline Wizz Air was flying from London Luton Airport to Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. When a message about a possible explosive device was received, the crew decided not to continue to Sofia and diverted the aircraft to Budapest. A Hungarian fighter jet escorted it along the way. After landing, the aircraft was thoroughly searched, but no explosives were found.
At first it looked like another false alarm, which are not uncommon in aviation.
The number of threats grows
The next day, similar reports were received for at least seven more flights, including those of Ryanair, LOT Polish Airlines and other carriers. These aircraft were also checked, and nothing suspicious was found.
On Thursday, 5 November, the situation escalated sharply. According to information compiled by the news agency Reuters, almost 30 passenger aircraft were reported to carry possible explosives on that day alone, and by Friday morning such reports had been received for at least 35 aircraft. According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the incidents affected at least 16 European countries.
The source does not say who sent the warnings or for what purpose.
