Paris:A series of false bomb threats disrupted European air travel on Thursday, affecting at least 27 flights across several countries. Three aircraft were diverted, and military jets were required to escort commercial planes, though no explosives were discovered.
According to Agencia de Noticias da Guine, the threats were linked to the Russian ultra-nationalist group known as "Estado Masculino," though authorities have not confirmed the group's responsibility. The bomb threats, sent via email to airport authorities, led to the activation of security protocols across Europe.
The most notable incident involved an Aer Lingus Airbus A320, traveling from Dublin to Rome, which was intercepted by French fighter jets and redirected to a military base in northern France. All passengers and crew disembarked safely. Similar threats led to the escort of a Finnair flight to Rome by Italian jets and the diversion of a Ryanair flight in Bulgaria.
Aviation security expert Eric Schouten noted the geopolitical implications, suggesting these incidents might be part of a broader hybrid warfare strategy. European Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas condemned the threats but cautioned against drawing premature conclusions about their connections.
The threats, which included ominous messages about explosions, have heightened concerns about hybrid attacks in Europe, with some governments associating these incidents with Russian destabilization efforts. Previous threats earlier in the week also targeted flights but resulted in no findings of explosives.