The key facts

  • From 2 to 5 November, threats affected at least 22 flights by Ryanair, Wizz Air, LOT, SAS, Finnair, Jettime, Aer Lingus, Aegean Airlines and other carriers
  • The incidents involved emergency landings, diversions, military escorts and security checks
  • The EU has activated the aviation security information-sharing mechanism; no conclusions have yet been drawn about whether the incidents are linked

EU commissioner responds to series of threats against flights

European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas said on Thursday that any threats against civilians are 'unacceptable' and stressed that the safety of citizens remains a priority. In a post on the social network X, he said the EU is closely monitoring the situation and is in contact with the affected member states and the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Anadolu reports.

What happened and what measures have been taken

According to the outlet, from 2 to 5 November at least 22 passenger flights across Europe were affected by bomb threat messages. The incidents led to emergency landings, aircraft diversions, military escorts and security checks at airports in several countries. Flights by Ryanair, Wizz Air, LOT Polish Airlines, SAS, Finnair, Jettime, Aer Lingus and Aegean Airlines, among others, were named as affected.

What is known and what remains unclear

Tzitzikostas said the EU-level aviation security information-sharing mechanism has been activated and called on national authorities to work closely with airport operators, airlines and law enforcement. According to him, threat assessment, investigation of the incidents and the application of security measures are the responsibility of national authorities. It is too early to draw conclusions about whether the incidents are connected: 'National investigations are ongoing,' Anadolu quotes him as saying.