In brief
Over the last few days, bomb threats reached more than twelve flights in France, Ireland and Italy, prompting extensive security checks and service disruptions. While no devices were located and airlines have said the response was routine, authorities are still probing the origins of the alerts.
Bomb threats sent to more than a dozen flights across Europe in the past week forced airlines to divert or cancel several routes, according to the Associated Press. The alerts were received in France, Ireland and Italy, leading to a surge in airport and in‑flight security procedures.
In France, customs police and Air France inspectors boarded a Paris‑to‑Dublin flight before departure and moved the aircraft to an alternate runway while investigators performed a thorough search of the cabin. A similar approach was taken on a Ryanair flight from Dublin to Rome, where Irish police and Italian border guards conducted detailed inspections of passengers and luggage.
Security crews at the affected airports increased screening of all remaining passengers. Passengers were checked for carry‑on and checked baggage, and crews offered meal vouchers and the option to complete online check‑ins to ease the delays.
The threats were reported as coming from anonymous callers and an online posting, which authorities traced to a 24‑year‑old student in Brussels. Police said the student’s profile did not indicate a credible threat. French police released a statement that the warning was “isolated and entirely without basis.”
Despite the identification of the individual, the authorities are still investigating the full origins of the alerts. Airline officials stressed that the heightened security measures were standard procedure and reinforced that no bomb or explosive device was found on any of the diversions.
