European Skies on High Alert After Wave of Hoax Bomb Threats
At least 35 planes searched or diverted as police investigate hoax threats and an Aer Lingus pilot faces scrutiny in France.
At a glance
- European airlines and airports are on high alert after a wave of hoax bomb threats forced the search or diversion of at least 35 planes this week.
- An Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome was diverted to a French military base, where the pilot is facing scrutiny for allegedly refusing landing instructions.
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has complained about the disorderly process of Ukraine peace talks, urging Europe to speak with a single voice.
European airports and airlines are on high alert this week following a wave of hoax bomb threats that have forced the search or diversion of at least 35 aircraft across the continent.
Copenhagen police said they were again present at the city’s airport on Friday following "threats directed at air traffic," but insisted there was no danger to passengers. The presence comes a day after two unidentified planes were searched at the airport as part of the broader European disruption.
### The Aer Lingus Diversion
In France, scrutiny has turned on an Aer Lingus pilot whose flight from Dublin to Rome was diverted to the Évreux military base after a bomb threat. Évreux public prosecutor Rémi Coutin said the pilot’s apparent initial refusal to land where instructed prompted the French military to scramble two fighter jets to intercept the aircraft. The pilot and co-pilot are set to be questioned to understand what happened, and could face charges for refusing to cooperate with authorities.
Aer Lingus issued a statement backing the crew, saying they acted "impeccably and thoroughly professional throughout" the incident. The airline emphasized that safety and passenger care were upheld professionally by the captain and crew during challenging circumstances.
### Political Coordination Disputes
Meanwhile, European leaders are grappling with coordination in other areas. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni complained about the "disorderly" process of talks on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, highlighting her country’s exclusion from certain meetings and phone calls involving the E3 (UK, France, Germany) and other initiatives. She argued that Europe needs to speak with a single, authoritative voice to shape outcomes. European Council President António Costa responded by promising to add the issue to the agenda of an upcoming EU summit in Dublin.
In other developments, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever met King Philippe to discuss next steps after the collapse of budget negotiations. Pope Leo also departed for his first overseas trip since lung surgery, visiting Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru.
Source: The Guardian.
Questions and answers
- How many planes were affected by the hoax bomb threats in Europe?
- At least 35 planes were searched or diverted across Europe due to the wave of hoax bomb threats this week.
- What happened to the Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome?
- The flight was diverted to the Évreux military base in France after a bomb threat, and the pilot is facing scrutiny from French authorities for his initial refusal to land where instructed.
- Why did Italian PM Giorgia Meloni complain about the Ukraine peace talks?
- Meloni complained about the disorderly process and lack of coordination, noting Italy was excluded from some meetings and phone calls, and emphasized that Europe needs to speak with a single, authoritative voice.
