Hoax bomb threats force unplanned landings and fighter escorts for flights across Europe, including an Aer Lingus flight from Dublin

Summary

Hoax bomb threats hit European flights on Thursday, 5 November 2026, for the second time that week. RTÉ and CBC each reported at least 27 affected flights from Ireland to Bulgaria. Some made unplanned landings, while others were escorted or intercepted by fighter jets, and RTÉ named an Aer Lingus flight from Dublin among them. The Financial Times reported threats against at least 20 more European flights and cited experts who describe the disruptions as a co-ordinated campaign to disrupt air travel in the region. Hindustan Times reported more than 20 alerts in three days, with flights to or from Copenhagen, Dublin, Helsinki, Madrid, Milan, Warsaw, Rome, Sofia and Vienna among those targeted. CNBC reported dozens of flights receiving bomb threats, disrupting air travel across London, Dublin and Helsinki. The outlets' flight counts differ, and the articles do not establish who was responsible.

Timeline

1. RTÉ

   5 Nov 2026, 09:03 UTCSource ↗

   RTÉ reports that security alerts forced airliners, including an Aer Lingus flight from Dublin, to make unplanned landings across Europe, the latest in a series of threats targeting flights in Europe.

2. RTÉ

   5 Nov 2026, 09:03 UTCSource ↗

   RTÉ reports that hoax bomb threats affected at least 27 flights around Europe from Ireland to Bulgaria, forcing some to make unplanned landings and prompting fighter jets to escort or intercept others.

3. CBC

   5 Nov 2026, 10:53 UTCSource ↗

   CBC reports that a series of hoax bomb threats hit European airlines from Ireland to Bulgaria on Thursday morning for the second time this week, with some of at least 27 affected flights making unplanned landings or being escorted by fighter jets.

4. Financial Times

   5 Nov 2026, 14:34 UTCSource ↗

   The Financial Times reports that bomb threats were issued against at least 20 more European flights, and experts it cites describe the disruptions as a co-ordinated campaign to disrupt air travel across the region.

5. Hindustan Times

   5 Nov 2026, 14:53 UTCSource ↗

   Hindustan Times reports more than 20 alerts in three days, with flights departing from or travelling to cities including Copenhagen, Dublin, Helsinki, Madrid, Milan, Warsaw, Rome, Sofia and Vienna among those targeted.

6. CNBC

   6 Nov 2026, 12:54 UTCSource ↗

   CNBC reports that dozens of flights across Europe reported bomb threats this week, disrupting air travel across London, Dublin and Helsinki.