Bomb threats hit 7 European flights in one day, all false: what to know before flying Ryanair or Wizz Air
TripX Verified · 4 sources · checked 2026-11-04Product cards in this guide are part of Trip.com activities, and we receive a commission on purchases. Disclosure
Key points
- On November 3, 7 flights in Europe including 4 Ryanair flights received bomb threats, but no explosives were found on the searched aircraft.
- The UK prime minister's office called them "malicious hoaxes", and there is reportedly no evidence yet of terrorism or hostile state involvement.
- For travellers the main effects are diversions, screening and delays, so airline alerts and spare connection time help.
In this guide
On November 3 (local time), 7 passenger flights in Europe received bomb threats in a single day: 4 Ryanair flights and 1 each from Wizz Air, LOT Polish Airlines and SAS. One changed its destination, an airport was briefly closed, and fighter jets escorted a plane to landing. No explosives were found on any of the searched aircraft.
This article is based on reports from November 3 to 4 by The Hankyoreh (citing The Guardian and Reuters), Yonhap News (citing Reuters), Hankook Ilbo and KBS. As of checking, it is not known who made the threats or why, and investigations continue in each country.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | November 3 (local time) |
| Flights threatened | 7 (Ryanair 4; Wizz Air, LOT and SAS 1 each) |
| Outcome | No explosives found on searched aircraft |
| UK prime minister's office | "Malicious hoaxes" |
| Earlier cases | Nov 2 Wizz Air landed in Budapest · Oct 18 Austrian Airlines landed in Sofia |
What happened on November 3
The targeted flights had left the UK, Ireland, Denmark, Portugal and Italy for Poland, Spain, Italy and Bulgaria. No clear link between the routes was found.
A LOT flight from London Heathrow to Warsaw Chopin (181 on board) diverted to Modlin Airport outside Warsaw, where authorities briefly closed the airport, evacuated passengers and searched the aircraft. An SAS flight from Copenhagen to Warsaw was also security-checked after landing.
At Rome Fiumicino, Ryanair flights from Lisbon and Dublin were searched, and an Italian Air Force fighter escorted the Dublin flight to landing. On a Ryanair flight from Manchester to Murcia, 121 people (114 passengers and 7 crew) got off to be screened.
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The day before and last month: threats keep coming
On November 2, a Wizz Air flight from London Luton to Sofia landed in Budapest after a bomb threat, then flew on to Sofia once no explosives were confirmed. On October 18, an Austrian Airlines flight from Tel Aviv to Vienna landed in Sofia and resumed after nothing was found.
Yonhap reported that bomb and hijack alerts on flights to and from Europe have continued since an attempted hijacking on a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30. The threats were reportedly received by airline email and phone.
How worried should you be? What officials and experts say
The UK prime minister's office called the threats against UK flights "malicious hoaxes", and a UK transport official said they had low credibility and passengers need not worry. Investigators said there is no evidence yet of terrorism or hostile state involvement.
A European Commission transport spokesperson said national investigations are under way and it is too early to say whether the incidents are linked. Aviation security expert Philip Baum said most such threats come from individuals who find it amusing or want to delay a flight, and that real terrorist groups do not warn in advance.
What it means for travellers: delays more than danger
All reported flights landed safely. Instead, destinations changed, every passenger got off to be screened with their bags, or airports briefly closed. If you are hopping between European cities on low-cost carriers, keep in mind that same-day connections, trains and hotel check-ins can be pushed back.
If a diversion or post-landing search starts, following crew and local authority instructions is the fastest way through. Assistance and compensation for delays or diversions vary by airline and situation, so check your airline's notices.
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Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to fly Ryanair or Wizz Air in Europe right now?
All reported flights landed safely and no explosives were found. A UK transport official said the threats had low credibility and passengers need not worry, though diversions and searches can cause delays.
What happens to a flight that gets a bomb threat?
In the reported cases, planes diverted to a nearby airport or all passengers got off to be screened with their bags. Some flights departed again once the alert was cleared.
Who made the threats and why?
As of checking, this is not known. No link between the 7 threats has been confirmed, and the EU and individual countries are investigating.
Sources
- The Hankyoreh (Nov 4, 2026; on bomb threats against 7 European flights, citing The Guardian and Reuters, in Korean)
- Yonhap News (Nov 3, 2026; on the London–Warsaw LOT flight diverted after a bomb threat, citing Reuters, in Korean)
- Hankook Ilbo (Nov 4, 2026; on bomb threats against 7 flights in Europe, in Korean)
- KBS (Nov 4, 2026; on bomb threat reports against 7 aircraft over Europe, in Korean)
Checked on
This guide is Global TripX’s summary of the information published in the sources above. It is not a first-hand review, and rules and schedules can change, so check official guidance again before you travel.
TripX Verified: the date we matched the facts in this guide against the original sources below. Rules can change.
