European airports faced further disruption on Friday as bomb threats continued for a third day, forcing additional planes to be grounded or diverted. Copenhagen and Prague airports issued alerts on Friday morning amid the latest wave of incidents.
On Thursday, threats grounded some 18 flights across the continent, including four Ryanair aircraft and one that had departed from London. Two days earlier, similar threats led to seven flights being grounded in Poland, Italy, Spain, and Bulgaria.
Friday Incidents.
Danish police confirmed they were at Copenhagen Airport investigating threats directed at air traffic. In a statement, officers said they were examining the incident and maintaining a visible presence at the site. Police stated they did not believe there was any danger to passengers or others at the airport. Copenhagen Airport acknowledged the police presence but reported that it was operating normally.
A Wizz Air flight traveling from Prague to Rome was diverted to Venice after a bomb scare. At Lisbon Airport, a major police operation was launched after a bomb alert involving a Ryanair flight that had arrived from Rome at 8 AM.
Broader Pattern of Disruption.
The incidents follow a series of alerts earlier in the week that affected flights operated by Ryanair and other carriers. Authorities have responded by searching aircraft and, in some cases, scrambling fighter jets for escorts. Reports indicate that no explosives have been found in the incidents examined so far, with many described as hoaxes.
The disruption has raised questions about possible coordination. Some accounts have linked the pattern to concerns over hybrid warfare tactics, with certain threats reportedly signed by a group associated with Russian networks. European officials have stated it remains too early to determine whether the incidents are connected.
Airports and airlines across multiple countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, Portugal, Italy, and others, have been affected. Ryanair has been among the carriers reporting multiple cases. Passengers have faced diversions, delays, and security checks, though airports have generally resumed normal operations after inspections.
