Fake bomb threats are disrupting air travel in Europe, grounding at least 25 flights in three days. A massive wave of prank bomb threats has severely disrupted air travel across Europe, affecting at least 25 flights spanning more than a dozen countries over the past three days. On November 3, at least seven flights, including on routes to Warsaw, Sofia, Rome and Murcia, received threats. Authorities blocked part of Murcia airport and temporarily closed Warsaw Chopin airport while crews searched the planes. The Greek authorities also stopped and searched a cruise ship bound for Israel. On November 5, more than two dozen flights were affected in just a few hours. Ryanair, Aer Lingus, Finnair and LOT Polish Airlines were targeted, with most threats being emailed to aviation and airport authorities. The rules require mid-flight threats to be treated as real until disproved, which prompts major reactions. Italy scavenged fighter jets to escort a Finnair flight from Helsinki to Rome. The Bulgarian army escorted diverted planes. The Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome was diverted to Frances Oro Military Air Base. Czech police checked four flights bound for Prague, while Spanish authorities addressed three threats on Air Europa and Iberia flights within 20 minutes. The incidents fit a pattern of state actor hybrid warfare. Experts say fake threats happen every day, but this volume of credible alerts appears to be coordinated. Poland, Denmark, Romania and Germany have recently accused Moscow of gray zone operations, including drone intrusions, cyber attacks on supermarket logistics and a plot to firebomb cargo planes this summer. European security briefings have also linked Iran-backed groups to domestic hybrid operations and infrastructure disruption.

Fake bomb threats are disrupting air travel in Europe, grounding at least 25 flights in three days. A massive wave of prank bomb threats has severely disrupted air travel across Europe, affecting at least 25 flights spanning more than a dozen countries over the past three days. On November 3, at least seven flights, including on routes to Warsaw, Sofia, Rome and Murcia, received threats. Authorities blocked part of Murcia airport and temporarily closed Warsaw Chopin airport while crews searched the planes. The Greek authorities also stopped and searched a cruise ship bound for Israel. On November 5, more than two dozen flights were affected in just a few hours. Ryanair, Aer Lingus, Finnair and LOT Polish Airlines were targeted, with most threats being emailed to aviation and airport authorities. The rules require mid-flight threats to be treated as real until disproved, which prompts major reactions. Italy scavenged fighter jets to escort a Finnair flight from Helsinki to Rome. The Bulgarian army escorted diverted planes. The Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome was diverted to Frances Oro Military Air Base. Czech police checked four flights bound for Prague, while Spanish authorities addressed three threats on Air Europa and Iberia flights within 20 minutes. The incidents fit a pattern of state actor hybrid warfare. Experts say fake threats happen every day, but this volume of credible alerts appears to be coordinated. Poland, Denmark, Romania and Germany have recently accused Moscow of gray zone operations, including drone intrusions, cyber attacks on supermarket logistics and a plot to firebomb cargo planes this summer. European security briefings have also linked Iran-backed groups to domestic hybrid operations and infrastructure disruption.