What is the story about?
At least four passenger aircraft operating across Poland, Spain and Bulgaria faced reported bomb threats on Tuesday, November 3, triggering emergency security
checks, an unscheduled diversion and temporary restrictions at an airport. The incidents involved flights operated by LOT Polish Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) and Ryanair, along with an El Al aircraft arriving from Israel. All four aircraft landed safely, and passengers and crew disembarked as security personnel began inspecting the planes for possible explosive devices. The concentration of alerts across three European countries in a single day has drawn attention to aviation security, although authorities have not established any connection between the incidents. Here is a breakdown of the reported threats.
LOT flight from London to Warsaw diverted to Modlin Airport
A Boeing 737 MAX operated by LOT Polish Airlines, travelling from London Heathrow to Warsaw Chopin Airport, was diverted to Warsaw-Modlin Airport after a bomb threat alert was reported at 9:54 am local time. The aircraft landed at Modlin at 10:01 am, carrying 181 people. Passengers and crew were evacuated while security services, including personnel trained to identify possible explosive devices, examined the aircraft.
The alert prompted a temporary closure of Warsaw-Modlin Airport, located around 36 kilometres from the Polish capital. Airport authorities subsequently announced that operations had resumed, although the aircraft remained under inspection and passengers and crew were awaiting further instructions.
According to reporting by The Times, the aircraft was carrying approximately 3.7 tonnes of fuel when it landed.
SAS flight from Copenhagen to Warsaw also receives bomb threat
A separate Scandinavian Airlines flight, SK751, operating from Copenhagen to Warsaw, was also subjected to a reported bomb threat on Tuesday. The aircraft landed normally at Warsaw Chopin Airport, where passengers disembarked and security personnel began inspecting the plane.
SAS confirmed that a threat had been made against the flight and said it was following established security procedures in coordination with Warsaw police.
A passenger told Danish media that the captain had informed those on board about the threat. Fire crews were also positioned near the aircraft during the security response.
Polish authorities said the reported threat had not been confirmed. Unlike the incident at Modlin, Warsaw Chopin Airport continued operating, although the area around the aircraft was subjected to security checks.
Ryanair flight from Manchester to Murcia lands safely
A Ryanair flight, FR4116, travelling from Manchester in the United Kingdom to Murcia in southeastern Spain, was the third aircraft reported to have received a bomb threat on Tuesday. The aircraft landed safely at Murcia Airport, where police and emergency services were waiting. All 114 passengers and seven crew members disembarked safely as security personnel began inspecting the aircraft.
The incident was confirmed by Francisco Lucas, the Spanish Government's delegate in the Murcia region, and reported by local media. Unlike the LOT flight, which was diverted to another airport, the Ryanair aircraft completed its journey to Murcia before the security inspection began.
El Al aircraft from Israel searched at Sofia Airport
The fourth reported incident involved an aircraft arriving from Israel at Sofia Airport in Bulgaria. A bomb threat was reportedly received by email, prompting the deployment of counter-terrorism units to inspect the aircraft for possible explosive devices.
Bulgarian news agency BTA reported the incident, citing Interior Ministry Secretary General Lyubomir Nikolov. Contemporaneous reporting identified the aircraft as an El Al service from Tel Aviv. The aircraft landed safely and was subjected to security checks. However, available reports did not establish whether an explosive device was found or identify the sender of the threat.
Bulgarian public broadcaster BNT also reported that the email alert was part of a wider set of bomb-threat warnings affecting various institutions. No official evidence has established that the aircraft incident was connected to the threats reported in Poland and Spain.
Previous Wizz Air incident adds to aviation security concerns
The four reported incidents on November 3 followed a separate bomb threat involving a Wizz Air flight travelling from London Luton to Sofia on November 2. The aircraft was diverted to Budapest, Hungary, after receiving a bomb threat while en route.
Hungarian Defence Minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi said a Hungarian Gripen fighter jet escorted the aircraft to Budapest after the alert activated the country's air-defence response.
Police and counter-terrorism personnel inspected the aircraft. The plane subsequently resumed operations after the checks. No confirmed explosive device was reported in the available coverage.
Authorities have not publicly established the identity of those responsible, the credibility of each threat or whether any explosive devices were present.
