Will your flight be affected by bomb threat delays? Aviation experts weigh in as terror grips Europe's skies

Terror has gripped the skies above Europe after a series of bomb threats forced at least seven passenger jets to make emergency landings over the past 24 hours.A flurry of hoax calls on Tuesday morning sparked flight chaos across the continent, with planes grounded in Italy, Spain, Bulgaria and Poland. Two jets from the UK, flying out of London Heathrow and Manchester, were among those caught up in the mayhem. A third was disrupted a day earlier by a similar threat. While it is currently unclear whether the incidents are connected, they came a day after a Wizz Air flight from London Luton to Bulgaria was threatened and had to be escorted by a fighter jet.This could lead to travel disruption, experts have warned. So, what do you need to know?Anton Radchenko, aviation expert and CEO of AirAdvisor, said: 'British travellers can be affected even if their own flight has not received a threat. Ryanair's operations centre reported a bomb threat received during a flight from Manchester to Murcia A police officer and a sniffer dog inspecting a Ryanair airplane and its baggage'An aircraft held for security checks may be due to operate another service afterwards, including a return flight to the UK. 'A diversion can also leave the aircraft and crew at the wrong airport, so the disruption can reach passengers who were nowhere near the original incident.'Finishing a security search does not immediately restore an airline's timetable. The airline may need to reposition the aircraft, obtain a new departure slot or find replacement crew if the delay takes the original crew beyond their permitted working hours.'Those are reasons further delays are possible, not evidence that widespread cancellations will follow.'Eric Napoli, chief legal officer at AirHelp, adds: 'For British travellers wondering about their own plans, it’s important to stay calm. Most flights from UK airports are running as normal. 'However, when a threat is made, disruption can follow quickly: diversions, aircraft taken out of service for checks, and knock-on delays to later flights. Passengers flying in the coming days should check their flight status before setting off for the airport and leave a little extra time.' Can we predict anything for certain? Anton adds: 'I would be cautious about anyone predicting days of disruption across UK airports from these incidents alone. 'The flights concerned landed safely and searches found no explosives. A precautionary diversion or inspection should not, by itself, be taken as evidence that a dangerous device was aboard or that the wider flight network is unsafe.'What should travellers do? For anyone travelling from Britain, the useful check is their own flight status and the airline's instructions, rather than a headline about another airport, Anton encourages. However, disruption is not guaranteed, and you need to check for each individual flightHe advises: 'Keep checking the app and messages, and do not assume a reported delay means you can arrive late for check-in. If your flight is still operating, cancelling it yourself because you are worried does not give you the same refund rights as an airline cancellation.'Passengers directly affected should separate compensation from the help needed to complete their journey. 'A security threat can exclude fixed compensation even when it ultimately proves to be a hoax, provided the airline establishes the circumstances and that it took all reasonable measures. It does not remove the right to appropriate care during a qualifying delay or cancellation.'If your flight is cancelled, you can choose a refund or rerouting. If you still need to travel, ask for the earliest suitable alternative before accepting your money back. 'Where necessary, that can include another airline. Keep itemised receipts for reasonable meals, accommodation and transfers if the airline cannot provide the assistance it owes.'