New wave of bomb threats hit European airlines

6 November 2026, 15: 14 GMT. Updated 27 minutes ago.

Key points

• On Friday multiple flights to and from Lisbon, Rome, Prague and Sofia were targeted and the threats saw three planes escorted by Hungarian fighter jets, authorities remarked.
• Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin described situation as "worrying" and continued his government's first priority was the safety of the Irish public.
• Friday's disruption comes after the Russian extremist group "Male State", named in this week's hoax bomb threats to Italian airports, denied any link to the false warnings.
• Ireland is scheduled to host two high-profile European Union meetings in Dublin next week.
• In an official note, gardaí (Irish police) remarked they were "aware of a threat made against media organisations here and in Europe".

European airlines have again been hit with a new wave of bomb threats – in the third such incident this week.

It additionally saw a number of high-profile media organisations, including Ireland's public broadcaster RTÉ, evacuated after threats were created against them – although there has been no concrete links between the messages against airlines and the broadcasters.

Notably, the disruption comes after almost 30 aircraft and a number of airports throughout Europe were impacted by threats earlier this week, in what the UK called a "malicious hoax". Russian extremist group denies sending hoax bomb threats.

While at least 11 flights were targeted in the Czech Republic and Bulgaria, according to AFP, a Ryanair flight scheduled to leave Lisbon for Rome on Friday was targeted with a threat, the airline remarked.

France additionally noted at least four of its flights were targeted by threats, nevertheless they all landed safely. No explosives have been discovered on any planes as of Friday.

As airlines were dealing with this latest wave of threats, a number of media outlets, including RTÉ, were evacuated after similar warnings were produced against them.

Staff at the Irish Independent newspaper and the Dublin offices of radio stations NewstalkFM and TodayFM, were additionally advised to leave their buildings and UK broadcaster Sky stated it additionally received a security threat.

While no link has been established between the threats against airlines and media outlets, the Irish administration has cautioned it is a "likely coordinated campaign of disruption".

In an official note, it remarked: Hoax threats such as these cause fear, distress and disruption to residents going regarding their daily lives and activities; they achieve no positive purpose whatsoever. It is not known yet who is responsible for these threats, whether it is individuals or a centralised or co-ordinated effort.

"Yesterday, there appeared to be coordinated efforts to disrupt air travel, " he remarked.

Martin informed RTÉ it was not yet known if the threats had come from individuals or if it was a "coordinated attack" but stated they were being taken seriously.

Broadcaster Sky confirmed it had received a security threat, hours after RTÉ had evacuated its building.

In practice, the broadcaster, which is owned by Comcast, remarked in an official note read by a presenter on its news channel that the broadcaster had "carried out a security assessment and reported the matter to the relevant authorities".

"The safety and security of our colleagues is our primary concern, and we are working closely with authorities to ensure our people and operations remain secure."

Replying to the BBC Russian Service, an account on Telegram – one of a number of linked to the so-called "Male State" and its founder Vladislav Pozdnyakov – mocked any suggestion the group was involved in emailing the threats.

"What Male State? Where have you seen it? It hasn't existed for plenty of years, " the message on the channel reads. "If tomorrow they sign a letter, say, from Putin, will you then try to reach our president to ask your stupid question?"

Taken together, the developments around new wave of bomb threats hit European airlines point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.