Eight flights diverted across Europe after new wave of bomb threats

Residents of Bucks County and other regions saw travel disruptions on Thursday as airlines diverted at least eight aircraft across Europe following a new series of bomb threats. This represents the second round of alerts this week, following earlier hoax security notifications that affected planes departing from the United Kingdom and Ireland. The incidents resulted in emergency landings at multiple airports, including in France, Bulgaria, and Austria, while other flights reached their intended destinations safely.

The British Airline Pilots' Association outlined the specific protocols used when such threats are received. According to the group, airline staff pass the threat to a team of assessors who grade it as red, amber, or green. A red rating indicates the threat is credible, while amber means it is partially credible. The association noted that an amber rating is generally not assigned to a plane already in the air. If a threat is graded green, or not credible, the staff on the plane are not informed of the alert.

When a threat is deemed credible, the flight crew is notified immediately. The captain of the aircraft assumes full command and follows a checklist designed for safety. If the plane is still on the ground, the standard procedure is to evacuate the aircraft. If the plane is airborne, the priority shifts to landing as quickly and safely as possible. Joji Waites, the BALPA director of flight safety, policy and regulation, stated that pilots are highly trained professionals whose expertise is central to keeping aviation safe.

Specific incidents on Thursday included a Ryanair flight from London Stansted to Sofia. That aircraft was diverted and landed in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. An Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome also changed course. The aircraft, identified as an A320, diverted to the Evreux air base in northern France. A statement from the French prime minister's office said 151 passengers and six crew members were brought to safety, with bomb disposal teams intervening at the site.

Finnair confirmed that two of its flights faced what it called unfounded or hoax threats. One flight from Helsinki to Rome landed at its destination, while a second from Helsinki to Vienna also arrived safely. The airline reported 144 passengers and seven crew on the Rome flight and 177 passengers and six crew on the Vienna flight. Inspections found nothing unusual on the plane in Rome, while checks continued in Vienna.

WizzAir reported that two of its services were also targeted. A flight from Milan to Bucharest landed safely at its final destination. A second flight, scheduled to go from Milan to Warsaw, was diverted and landed in Vienna. The airline stated it is cooperating fully with authorities and taking necessary steps to ensure the safety of everyone onboard.