In brief
On Nov. 6, at least 18 flights were affected across Europe by bomb threats, with routes to Lisbon, Rome, Prague and Sofia disrupted. Media organisations including RTÉ, Virgin Media, Newstalk and the Independent also received threats, as authorities suspect a coordinated campaign, but the perpetrators remain unknown. The incidents follow a sustained pattern of attacks destabilising aviation security, prompting authorities to investigate and urging passengers to remain alert.
On Friday 6 November, a coordinated campaign of bomb threats disrupted flights across Europe and targeted several media organisations, the Irish government said.
At least 18 flights were affected on Nov. 6, including routes to Lisbon, Rome, Prague and Sofia. The BBC reported that three of the planes were escorted by Hungarian fighter jets.
The Guardian said at least 18 flights were disrupted Friday, bringing the week’s total to more than 50, with Prague receiving nine threats.
Media organisations that received threats include RTÉ, Virgin Media, Newstalk and the Independent, the prime minister’s office said.
Authorities say the attacks appear to be part of a coordinated campaign, but it is not yet known who is responsible and whether the threats come from individuals or a centralised effort.
The Guardian also reported that a group appeared to claim responsibility for the threats, but the reporting could not substantiate the claim.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni spoke on the situation, saying:
When hackers attempted to alter the temperature of the refrigerators that store blood for transfusions, that blood was secured by a system that costs money; when you pay to buy that system, do we consider it defence spending or healthcare spending?
Meloni added,
When they tell us that the resources committed to defence and security are money taken away from healthcare or hospitals, that’s nonsense, because … we need both.
These bomb threats follow a pattern of attacks that have destabilised aviation security across the continent, raising concerns among airline operators and security officials.
Authorities are investigating the incidents, and have urged media outlets and passengers to remain alert while travel resumes.
