A wave of hoax bomb threats has disrupted air travel across Europe, while emailed bomb threats disrupted media operations in Ireland, with French authorities reporting four new threats against aircraft on Friday and RTÉ Radio One going off air.
European authorities are investigating a series of bomb threats that have targeted airlines and media organisations this week, including hoax threats against commercial flights, leaving at least 35 planes searched or diverted and prompting security alerts at multiple airports.
The French prime minister's office said on Friday that four new bomb threats had been received against aircraft flying over French territory. All planes landed safely and bomb dispersal units were conducting inspections. A probe is underway to determine the origin of the threats affecting all of Europe, the office said.
In Portugal, a bomb threat against a Ryanair flight from Rome to Lisbon (FR8196) was determined to be a hoax, Portuguese police confirmed. The threat also concerned the return leg to Rome (FR8197). Authorities will try to determine the origin and circumstances.
A WizzAir flight from Prague to Rome (W46136) was diverted to Venice after a bomb threat, Italian news agency Ansa reported. The plane turned near Ferrara and landed safely in Venice.
Czech police are investigating threats against a number of aircraft arriving at and departing from Prague Airport, saying they have taken necessary security measures with minimal impact on normal operations.
In Ireland, emailed bomb threats forced the evacuation of staff at multiple media outlets on Friday morning, including RTÉ, Newstalk Radio, Today FM, Virgin Media and the Irish Independent. RTÉ Radio One's Today With David McCullagh went off air and was replaced with music. The email, received before 9am, said an explosion would detonate within 45 minutes, said McCullagh. Police with sniffer dogs remained at RTÉ's Donnybrook campus.
"It has been quite an interesting morning on RTÉ," McCullagh said. The taoiseach, Micheál Martin, told the programme that such threats must be taken seriously. "It shows how relatively simple it can be to cause disruption and undermine the normal operation of society."
Copenhagen police said they were again present at the airport on Friday following threats directed at air traffic, but assessed there was no danger to passengers.
On Thursday, an Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome was diverted to the Évreux military base after a bomb threat. The plane was escorted by military aircraft. Évreux public prosecutor Rémi Coutin told ICI Normandie that the pilot's apparent initial refusal to land where instructed prompted French fighter jets to intercept. Coutin said the pilot and co-pilot will be questioned. He said he could bring charges for refusing to cooperate with authorities.
Aer Lingus backed the pilot, saying he and the crew acted "impeccably and thoroughly professional throughout" the incident and upheld safety and passenger care.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The coordinated nature of hoax threats across multiple countries raises questions about whether this is a deliberate campaign to disrupt European transport and media, potentially linked to hybrid warfare tactics.
- For travellers, the threats cause flight delays and diversions, and a heightened security presence at airports may continue for days.
- The targeting of broadcasters and newspapers shows the threats extend beyond aviation, aiming to disrupt public communication and create fear.
Background
A wave of hoax bomb threats hit European air travel on Thursday 5 November 2026, with at least 35 planes searched or diverted. On Friday 6 November, new threats emerged. The incidents come amid heightened geopolitical tensions, including discussions over Ukraine and European security, though no group has claimed responsibility.
Key Perspectives
Micheál Martin (Taoiseach of Ireland): said such threats must be taken seriously and that it shows "how relatively simple it can be to cause disruption and undermine the normal operation of society."
Rémi Coutin (Évreux public prosecutor): said the pilot's apparent refusal to land where instructed prompted fighter jets to intercept, and he could bring charges for refusing to cooperate with authorities.
Aer Lingus: said the captain and crew acted "impeccably and thoroughly professional throughout" the incident and that safety was upheld.
What to Watch
- The outcome of the French investigation into the Aer Lingus pilot's actions and whether charges are brought.
- Whether the pattern of hoax threats continues into the weekend, testing European security coordination.
- Any official attribution or claim of responsibility that could clarify whether these attacks are state-linked or from a non-state actor.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedA wave of hoax bomb threats put European airlines and airports on high alert and disrupted air travel.World news | The Guardian: “Airlines and airports across Europe are on high alert after a wave of hoax bomb threats targeted commercial flights this week, leaving at least 35 planes searched or diverted.”
- SupportedAt least 35 planes were searched or diverted.World news | The Guardian: “leaving at least 35 planes searched or diverted.”
- SupportedEmailed bomb threats disrupted media operations in Ireland.World news | The Guardian: “Bomb threats against Irish media organisations have disrupted broadcasts and prompted staff evacuations and police searches on Friday morning.”
- SupportedThe French prime minister’s office said four new bomb threats against aircraft over French territory were received on Friday.World news | The Guardian: “Four new bomb threats against aircraft flying over the French territory were received today.”
- SupportedA bomb threat against Ryanair flight FR8196 from Rome to Lisbon was determined to be a hoax, Portuguese police confirmed.World news | The Guardian: “The Lisbon report turned out to be a hoax, the Portuguese police confirmed to AFP.”
- SupportedThe threat against the Ryanair flight also concerned its return leg to Rome, flight FR8197.World news | The Guardian: “the threat concerned both the inbound FR8196 flight and the reverse leg from Lisbon to Rome, FR8197.”
- SupportedA WizzAir flight from Prague to Rome was diverted to Venice after a bomb threat, according to Ansa.World news | The Guardian: “A WizzAir flight from Prague to Rome has been diverted to Venice following a bomb threat, Italy’s Ansa news agency reported.”
- SupportedRTÉ Radio One’s Today With David McCullagh went off air and was replaced with music.World news | The Guardian: “RTÉ Radio One’s Today With David McCullagh went off air on Friday morning and was replaced with music”
- SupportedDavid McCullagh said, “It has been quite an interesting morning on RTÉ.”World news | The Guardian: ““It has been quite an interesting morning on RTÉ,” said McCullagh.”
- SupportedMicheál Martin told the programme that the threats had to be taken seriously.World news | The Guardian: “The taoiseach, Micheál Martin , told the programme that such threats had to be taken seriously”
- SupportedMartin said, “It shows how relatively simple it can be to cause disruption and undermine the normal operation of society.”World news | The Guardian: ““It shows how relatively simple it can be to cause disruption and undermine the normal operation of society.””
- SupportedAer Lingus said the pilot and crew acted “impeccably and thoroughly professional throughout” the incident.World news | The Guardian: “saying he and the crew acted “impeccably and thoroughly professional throughout” the incident.”