Bomb Threats Leave More Flights Forced Into Emergency Landings Across Europe

Thursday’s flight disruptions

An Aer Lingus flight traveling from Dublin to Rome landed safely at Evreux, west of Paris, after a precautionary diversion, the airline said. Belgian media reported that a LOT aircraft made an emergency landing at Brussels’ Zaventem airport.

A Finnair aircraft from Helsinki was escorted by the Italian air force to its planned landing in Rome, according to a source close to the matter. Bulgarian officials said three aircraft made emergency landings following bomb threats.

Earlier threats disrupted travel

The latest incidents came after bomb hoaxes earlier in the week led to similar emergency landings. On Tuesday, threats were reported against at least seven flights and a cruise ship, disrupting airports across Europe.

Concerns about wider disruption

The threats came amid European officials’ accusations that Russia and Iran have carried out what they call hybrid attacks and sabotage. Some experts said false bomb alerts could fit a pattern of inexpensive disruption that is difficult to attribute.

Cyber incidents have also affected infrastructure in Europe this week. Hackers changed settings on supermarket refrigerators and freezers, while a cyberattack struck blood banks in France on Wednesday; no blood products were damaged at the affected centres.

Experts warn of vulnerabilities

A cybersecurity expert said attacks on digital systems can expose weaknesses in physical infrastructure. Dray Agha, a senior manager of tactical response at Huntress, said recent events show that modern conflicts make regular use of physical systems’ digital dependencies. The article also included a warning that hostile actors are testing critical infrastructure, but did not identify the speaker of that remark.