Disruption Continues As Bomb Threats Hit European Aviation For The Third Day This Week

Credit: Tupungato & Ronen Fefer | Shutterstock | Simple Flying Published Nov 6, 2026, 10:45 AM EST Louis is a military historian and the staff writer for History of War magazine, a leading military history monthly. He also has an interest in private and commercial aviation. Sign in to your Simple Flying account Another string of bomb threats has hit European aviation, making this the third day out of five this week that has seen this disruption. The main incidents we know about so far have been aboard a Ryanair flight in the Mediterranean region, four incidents in France, and one aboard a Wizz Air flight. This is the second day in a row that we have seen these bomb threats. Yesterday had at least 25 disruptions with a few aircraft diverted, some with military jet escorts and one landing at a military base. The cause of these threats is still mysterious, although there is growing speculation of a coordinated campaign to cause maximum disruption across Europe. The Flights Impacted Today It seems like today's bomb threats won't quite be as disruptive as those yesterday, which saw over 25 flights affected. However, there still has been some notable news. Firstly, Ryanair's flight FR 8196 from Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO) to Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) was disrupted. An anonymous phone call to FCO's control tower claimed that an explosive device was on board. The Ryanair jet took off from FCO a few minutes late at 5:48 AM local time. However, it landed 32 minutes late at 8:27 AM local time. This suggests that, although the flight was not diverted, the bomb threat still caused disruption. After the aircraft landed safely, authorities investigated but have not said that they found explosives onboard. Simple Flying has contacted Ryanair for further comment. The French Prime Minister's office has also confirmed bomb threats on four aircraft flying over French territory. The office confirmed that all of these aircraft have now landed safely, and security services are investigating the potential presence of explosive devices onboard these aircraft and the broader campaign of disruption. Finally, a Wizz Air flight from Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) to FCO was also disrupted today, and was diverted to Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE). The Irish Government Thinks It Could Be A Coordinated Campaign This morning, the Irish Government warned that the bomb threats were a "likely coordinated campaign", in a statement released after bomb threats had also been made against Irish media organizations, The Guardian reports. It reminded the perpetrators that hoax threats against the media and transport infrastructure cause "fear, distress, and disruption" with no positive purpose. However, the Irish Government also acknowledged that it is not known for certain if the hoaxes are the work of a centralized group or of disparate individuals. The Gardaí, the Irish police force, is working alongside the nation's Defence Force, and cyber and aviation authorities, to find those responsible. These Irish authorities have also been working with their counterparts from other European nations that have dealt with these bomb threats. What Happens When A Bomb Threat Is Called In About An Aircraft? Britain's Sky News spoke with Michele Robson, a former air traffic controller, to find out what happens during a bomb threat. She said that after receiving a threat, air traffic controllers alert their supervisor. They then bring in government agencies and the military who assess the credibility of the threat. These agencies then order actions depending on the level of the threat. Robson says that the fact aircraft have been grounded and diverted suggests judgments that these threats are of a high credibility have been made. While military aircraft are being readied if necessary, air traffic controllers then speak to the pilot to find out their intentions. The pilot may decide to land immediately if they have reasons to believe the threat is highly credible. Once government agencies decide what actions should be taken, that information is relayed to the pilot and the airport that they will be landing at. Once the jet has safely touched down, the passengers and crew members are taken off the aircraft. They may be questioned while bomb experts and dogs search the aircraft.