Multiple flights across Europe faced disruption on Thursday after bomb threats triggered emergency landings, diversions and military escorts. Authorities later confirmed that searches found no hazardous or suspicious materials.

British Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described the threats as “malicious” hoaxes. The incidents follow similar threats earlier in the week, when at least 25 flights reportedly faced disruptions.

Several airlines and airports activated security procedures. Some aircraft landed at alternative airports, while others received fighter jet escorts before reaching their destinations.

European Flights Face Security Disruptions

An Aer Lingus flight travelling from Dublin to Rome diverted to a French military air base in Évreux after receiving a threat. French authorities placed the base on high alert and sent bomb disposal teams to examine the aircraft.

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu also ordered military aircraft to intercept the flight. His office said the decision followed concerns about the pilot’s cooperation with authorities. Aer Lingus later confirmed that its pilots had fully cooperated.

A Finnair flight travelling from Helsinki to Rome also received a military escort. Italian and Croatian fighter jets intercepted the aircraft before it landed safely in Rome.

Finnair confirmed that two of its flights faced bomb threats. The second flight, operated by Jettime from Helsinki to Vienna, also landed safely.

Three Ryanair flights heading to Bulgaria received military escorts. Two landed safely in Sofia, while another diverted to Plovdiv.

Authorities Investigate Bomb Threat Hoaxes

Other European airports also reported threats on Thursday. Czech police searched four aircraft that landed in Prague but found nothing suspicious.

A LOT Polish Airlines flight from Warsaw to Brussels also landed safely. Inspections at its destination found no hazardous items.

Meanwhile, a Wizz Air flight from Milan to Bucharest landed safely after receiving a threat. Romanian airport officials confirmed that security checks found no bomb.

Authorities have not established whether the threats came from the same people or group. The European Union has activated an information-sharing mechanism to support coordination on aviation security.

Threats Raise Concerns Over Aviation Security

Security experts say repeated threats could disrupt air travel and increase costs for airlines. Each incident can affect flight schedules, crew availability and passenger connections.

Philip Baum, a visiting professor of aviation security at Coventry University, estimated that a single disruption could cost an airline as much as $250,000.

Officials continue to investigate the incidents. However, no explosives or suspicious materials have been found in the aircraft searches reported so far.