New wave of bomb hoaxes hits at least 27 passenger flights across Europe

Key Points:

• At least 27 passenger flights across Europe were disrupted on November 5 due to hoax bomb threats, causing unplanned landings, military escorts, and security checks, marking the second wave of such incidents this week.
• No group has claimed responsibility, but European officials suspect Russia of orchestrating these "hybrid attacks," which are designed to cause disruption without provoking armed conflict; Russia and Iran deny involvement.
• Flights to major cities including Milan, Rome, Paris, Prague, and Sofia were affected, with some aircraft diverted or stopped on the ground, while others landed under military escort; passengers reported heightened security measures and delays.
• Aviation security experts note these threats may be intended to disrupt operations and test responses, coinciding with cyberattacks on European supermarkets and blood banks, indicating a broader pattern of coordinated disruptions targeting essential services.
• Airlines only acted on threats deemed credible by security assessors, and despite the disruptions, passengers expressed a pragmatic attitude toward the ongoing incidents.