Hoax bomb threats disrupt European flights

At least 34 flights were disrupted across Europe during the week, with Thursday’s alerts affecting airports in several countries. Authorities reported finding nothing suspicious, and officials said it was too soon to determine whether the incidents were connected.

• The disruptions began Monday, when a Wizz Air flight from London Luton to Sofia was diverted to Budapest. At least 34 flights had been disrupted by the time of the report.· 1 source
• Thursday’s threats affected airports including London, Birmingham, Brussels, Bucharest, Madrid, Milan, Prague, Rome, Sofia and Warsaw. A separate report said at least 14 flights were affected that day.· 2 sources
• Authorities found nothing suspicious in the incidents reported so far. The EU transport commissioner said it was too early to conclude whether the threats were linked.· 1 source
• Sofia and Milan each recorded six incidents, followed by Rome with five and Prague with four; Ryanair had eight reported cases.· 1 source
• Authorities treated the alerts under aviation safety procedures, and fighter jets were reported to have escorted aircraft in Bulgaria, France, Hungary and Italy.· 1 source