Hoax Bomb Threats Disrupt Flights Across the UK and Europe

Update 6 November: four more flights over France were diverted to Paris-Orly and Bordeaux after hoax bomb threats. Read our latest report.

A wave of malicious hoax bomb threats has caused diversions, delays and disruption across European aviation since 2 November 2026. More than 34 flights in at least 16 countries have been targeted, including services from London Stansted, London Luton, Newcastle and Glasgow, while Heathrow and Birmingham both received threats on 5 November. No explosives have been found on any aircraft.

What Has Happened

The threats began on 2 and 3 November, when seven flights were affected. On 5 November the campaign escalated sharply, with at least 25 flights targeted in a single day, and further threats followed on 6 November. Most were sent by email, with some anonymous calls made to air traffic control.

Each threat has to be taken seriously, which means aircraft can be diverted, met by police on landing, or held on a remote stand while passengers and baggage are searched with sniffer dogs. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) said each threat was low risk on its own, but together they put real strain on the system. The EU has activated its aviation security information-sharing mechanism so that countries can coordinate their response.

UK Airports and Flights Affected

At least seven UK-linked flights have been caught up in the disruption so far:

• 3 November: a Wizz Air flight from London Luton to Sofia was diverted to Budapest.
• A Ryanair flight from London Stansted to Sofia was diverted to Plovdiv.
• easyJet flights from Newcastle and Glasgow were met by police at Prague as a precaution.
• 5 November: London Heathrow and Birmingham Airport received threats. The Metropolitan Police Aviation Policing Command judged them not credible and operations largely continued as normal.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described them as "malicious hoax threats" and said UK aviation security is among the most robust in the world.

Flying soon? Check your flight on the live boards before you leave home: Heathrow departures, Stansted departures, Luton departures, Birmingham departures, Newcastle departures and Glasgow departures.

Fighter Escort for Aer Lingus Flight

The most dramatic incident came on 5 November, when Aer Lingus flight EI402 from Dublin to Rome was diverted to the Évreux-Fauville military air base in France under fighter escort. Reports say the pilot initially refused to land at the military base, and French prosecutors have opened an investigation.

Fighter jets have also been scrambled in Italy, Bulgaria, Hungary and Austria. On 6 November a Ryanair flight to Lisbon was threatened, and airports in Prague, Warsaw and Madrid have received threats, leading to tarmac evacuations and searches with sniffer dogs.

Further afield, an ANA flight was met by armed Australian Federal Police in Sydney on 5 November, although any link to the European wave has not been confirmed.

Airlines Affected

Airlines named in reports as having flights targeted include Ryanair, Wizz Air, Aer Lingus, LOT Polish Airlines, easyJet, Finnair, Iberia, Air Europa, Air Serbia and SAS.

Who Is Behind the Threats?

Nobody has been confirmed as responsible. Some of the emails sent to Rome were signed "Fighters of the Male State", a name analysts have linked to the "Muzhskoi Legion" (Male Legion), a Russian ultra-right group banned in 2021. Fears have been raised that the campaign could be a form of hybrid warfare, but as of 6 November there is no confirmed attribution.

Making hoax threats carries heavy penalties: up to seven years in prison in the UK, up to two years in France, and fines of more than €200,000 in Spain. Each diversion can cost an airline up to around $250,000.

Your Rights if Your Flight Is Affected

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) says security threats like these count as extraordinary circumstances, so airlines are unlikely to have to pay compensation for delays or cancellations they cause. However, the airline's duty of care still applies. If you are delayed long enough, your airline should provide:

• Food and refreshments in proportion to the length of the wait.
• Hotel accommodation and transfers if you are stuck overnight.
• A choice of rerouting or a refund if your flight is cancelled.

Keep receipts for any reasonable expenses, as you may be able to claim them back from the airline.

Will Travel Insurance Pay Out?

Possibly not. Many travel insurance policies exclude disruption caused by terrorism or bomb threats, so check the small print of your policy before relying on it to cover extra costs.

Check Before You Travel

Airports have stressed that flights are operating and that every threat so far has been a hoax. The best advice is to check your flight status before setting off, allow extra time, and follow updates from your airline. You can track live flights with our flight tracker and see the latest on our airport news page.