Bomb threats hit at least 18 flights across Europe, fighter jets escort aircraft

Bomb threats disrupted at least 18 passenger flights across Europe on Thursday, forcing diversions, precautionary landings and security checks. Fighter jets escorted some aircraft, while other flights reached their scheduled destinations under heightened security. Authorities said no explosives had been found in the searches completed so far, and investigations were continuing into the source of the warnings.

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Aer Lingus flight diverted to French military base

Among the affected services was Aer Lingus flight EI402 from Dublin to Rome, which was directed to the Evreux air base west of Paris after an alert was reported. French military aircraft escorted the Airbus A320 to the base, where it landed safely.

According to the French prime minister's office, 151 passengers and six crew members were moved to safety while explosives specialists and security teams checked the plane. Aer Lingus said the diversion was a precaution and it was arranging onward travel for those aboard.

Three Ryanair flights face bomb threats in Bulgaria

Three Ryanair aircraft travelling to Sofia from Madrid, Copenhagen and London Stansted were also targeted. The Madrid and Copenhagen flights landed in the Bulgarian capital, while the service from London was redirected to Plovdiv. Bulgaria's defence ministry said fighter jets escorted all three aircraft. Searches after landing found no explosives.

Finnair, Wizz Air and LOT flights undergo security checks

In Italy, a Finnair aircraft travelling from Helsinki to Rome was escorted by military jets before landing at Fiumicino Airport. Bomb disposal personnel inspected it and found no dangerous material. Another flight operated for Finnair between Helsinki and Vienna also landed safely after a warning, the airline said.

A Wizz Air service from Milan to Warsaw diverted to Vienna for checks, while another from Milan to Bucharest landed at its destination before passengers were evacuated and security personnel examined the aircraft. Neither inspection confirmed a threat.

A LOT Polish Airlines flight from Warsaw to Brussels was searched after landing, while another Warsaw-Paris service underwent security procedures before departure at Chopin Airport. The Polish airport closed one runway temporarily as checks were carried out. No suspicious materials were reported.

Four flights arriving in Prague were inspected after anonymous alerts, Czech police said. The checks found no explosives. Officials in Spain also ruled out threats to three flights at Madrid-Barajas Airport following examinations by security forces.

In Italy, two aircraft arriving in Milan from Thessaloniki and Porto were checked after landing. Aegean Airlines also said a separate Athens-Vienna service received a false threat.

European airlines faced similar threats earlier this week

Thursday's incidents followed a series of bomb threats on Monday and Tuesday. At least seven aircraft were affected on Tuesday, including services operated by Ryanair, Wizz Air, SAS and LOT. A flight from London Heathrow to Warsaw was diverted to Modlin Airport, while a Ryanair service from Manchester was checked after landing in Murcia, Spain.

On Monday, a Wizz Air flight from London Luton to Sofia was diverted to Budapest, where it was met by security teams. Earlier inspections found no explosives.

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