Nine flights threatened at Prague airport as wave of hoax bomb threats leaves travelers frustrated across Europe
Threats disrupt air travel
Bomb threats across Europe have caused airport and newsroom disruptions, with evacuations and security sweeps reported. Countries affected include Poland, Bulgaria, Italy and Spain. Prague’s Vaclav Havel Airport said on Friday that nine flights had been threatened. The flights included arrivals from Denmark, Spain and Britain, and departures to the Netherlands, Cyprus, Romania, Italy and Britain.
Newsrooms also receive threats
On Friday, newsrooms in Ireland and Bulgaria received emailed bomb threats from someone using the name “Mikhail Andropov,” who claimed responsibility for a widening wave of hoax threats against passenger flights. British broadcaster Sky said it had received a security threat. Staff at Irish national broadcaster RTÉ were evacuated from its offices after a bomb threat; the broadcaster said it believed the threat came from the same group behind threats to flights.
A Prague airport representative told CNN on Thursday that an anonymous email had threatened the airport. Czech police said similar emails had been sent to other European airports.
No devices found on planes
No explosive device has been found on any of the planes affected this week. Airlines must assess whether each threat is credible and respond accordingly. Aviation security experts said the apparent coordination and timing of the incidents were unusual, although airlines have faced bomb threats before. It is not clear whether the current incidents are connected.
Broader disruption concerns
The threats come amid other disruptions in Europe, including attacks on supermarket refrigeration systems and drone incursions. European officials have also accused Russia of carrying out “hybrid” or “grey zone” disruption campaigns. On Thursday, an airport source in Italy said threats sent to airlines and airport operators in Rome and Milan claimed to be from “fighters of the Male State,” described as a far-right anti-feminist movement banned in Russia.
Key points
- Hoax threats disrupted flights, airports and newsrooms across Europe over the past week.
- Prague’s airport reported threats against nine flights; a separate account said at least 27 flights were affected.
- No explosive devices have been found on the affected planes, and whether the incidents are linked remains unclear.
- Threats also targeted newsrooms in Ireland and Bulgaria, British broadcaster Sky, and a cruise ship.