Bomb Threats on Flights in Europe: Is It Safe to Fly and What to Do? (2026)

Between 2 and 5 November 2026, dozens of flights in Europe received bomb threats in three waves, at least 20 on Thursday 5 November alone, according to AFP. Some planes were diverted and others were escorted by fighter jets. No explosive device has been found on any of the aircraft checked. If you are flying in the coming days, the questions are practical: is it safe to fly, what happens if there is a threat at the airport or on board, and who helps you if your plane lands in another country.

This guide explains what happened, how to act at the airport and on the plane, what to do if your flight is diverted to another country, your rights as a passenger and how Telcomia helps.

Key facts about the bomb threats on European flights

What happened: from 2 to 5 November, flights to and from Bulgaria, Czechia, Italy, Poland and other European countries received bomb threats; some were diverted or escorted by military aircraft.
Result: no explosive device has been found on the aircraft checked.
Travel advice: as of 6 November, the US, the UK, Spain and Germany have not changed their travel advice for these countries because of the threats.
Your rights: a security threat usually counts as an extraordinary circumstance, so compensation is not normally due, but the airline must look after you during long delays.
If you land in another country: if you need consular help, your embassy or consulate in that country is the one to call.

Is it safe to fly in Europe right now?

Yes. This week's threats turned out to be false: the aircraft were checked on landing and nothing dangerous was found. Airports and airlines follow set procedures for any threat, which is why some planes were diverted, escorted or searched. For passengers, the real effect is delays, diversions and extra checks, mainly on low-cost flights to and from Bulgaria, Czechia and Italy.

Prague Airport said it received the threats by email from anonymous addresses, and Czech police judged them to have low credibility. No one has been arrested, and the EU's transport commissioner said it was too early to say whether the incidents are linked.

If there is a threat at the airport

Follow staff and police instructions and go to the assembly point you are told.
Do not go back for your luggage or stay to film.
Never leave your luggage unattended: an abandoned bag can force a terminal to be evacuated and may be destroyed.
If you see an abandoned bag or a suspicious item, do not touch it, move away and tell airport staff or the police.
Never joke about bombs or weapons at the airport or on board: it is treated as a real threat.
Keep your phone charged and your boarding pass on your phone or printed, and check the airline's app for gate and time changes.

If there is a threat on board

Stay calm and follow the crew: they apply set safety procedures and will tell you what happens next.
Normally the plane lands at the nearest suitable airport and is checked; this week some were escorted by fighter jets as a precaution.
If the crew asks, check whether there is any bag near you that belongs to no one, but do not touch suspicious items.
If you have to evacuate, leave all your luggage behind and do not film; before landing, keep your passport, medicines and phone on you. This is what IATA asks in its 'Save a life, not a bag' campaign.

If your flight is diverted to another country

This week several planes landed where their passengers had not planned: an Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome at the Évreux air base in France, a flight from London Luton to Sofia in Budapest, one from London Stansted to Sofia in Plovdiv and one from Milan to Warsaw in Vienna.

Your embassy first: if you need consular help (lost documents, an accident or no way to continue your journey), your embassy or consulate where you landed is the one to call.
Your phone: with a SIM from an EU country, Roam Like at Home covers you across the EU. With a SIM from outside the EU, such as a British or American one, your operator may charge roaming unless your tariff includes these countries; the Europe plan on an eSIM covers all the countries affected this week, among 38 destinations.
Emergency numbers: 112 works in every EU country.

Your rights if your flight is delayed or diverted

Under EU rules, on flights leaving the EU or with EU airlines, a security threat usually counts as an extraordinary circumstance, so the airline does not normally owe you compensation. You are still entitled to assistance during long delays: meals and refreshments, and a hotel and transfers if you have to stay overnight (Which?). Ask the airline how it will get you to your destination, and keep receipts for reasonable costs.

How Telcomia helps

On the Telcomia safety page, choose your nationality and where you are now to see your embassy or consulate, an official 24/7 consular emergency line verified against official sources, directions to the embassy, emergency numbers and travel recommendations from your government.

The app adds emergency phrases to show on screen in the local language, and the safety page for each destination explains its current situation.

Before you fly in the coming days

Check your flight in the airline's app before leaving for the airport and again before boarding.
Save your embassy's details for your destination and for the countries on or near your route.
Keep your passport, medicines, charger and phone on you, not in the overhead bin.
If you will need data on arrival, install your eSIM at home on Wi-Fi.
Leave for the airport a little earlier in case of extra checks.

Questions travellers ask about bomb threats on flights

Is it safe to fly in Europe after the bomb threats?

Yes. No explosive device has been found on any of the aircraft checked this week, and no government we follow has changed its travel advice because of the threats. Expect possible delays or diversions.

What should I do if there is a bomb threat on my plane?

Stay calm and follow the crew's instructions. If you have to evacuate, leave your luggage behind and move away from the aircraft as instructed.

Will I get compensation if my flight is diverted by a bomb threat?

Usually not, because a security threat counts as an extraordinary circumstance under EU rules. The airline must still provide meals, refreshments and, if needed, a hotel during long delays.

Who helps me if my plane lands in another country?

The airline arranges your onward journey. For consular help, such as a lost passport, contact your embassy or consulate in that country: the Telcomia safety page shows its address and emergency line.

Will my phone work if my flight is diverted?

With an EU SIM, yes, at home prices anywhere in the EU. With a SIM from outside the EU, check your roaming tariff; the Europe plan on an eSIM covers the countries affected this week.

The short version

This week's bomb threats on European flights were false, and flying remains safe. If there is a threat, follow the crew and staff, leave your luggage behind in an evacuation and never joke about bombs. If your plane lands in another country, the airline must look after you, and your embassy there is the one to call if you need consular help.

Find your embassy →

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