'Too early' to say if Europe flight bomb threats linked, EU transport chief says

Key Points:

• The EU is monitoring a series of hoax bomb alerts targeting at least 14 European flights over three days, with no confirmed link between the incidents, according to EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas.
• Fighter jets from Italy, France, and Bulgaria escorted several flights, primarily low-cost carriers like Ryanair, Wizz Air, Finnair, and Aer Lingus, which were threatened and diverted, but no explosives were found.
• The bomb threats mainly targeted flights to or from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Italy, causing diversions and heightened security measures at airports in Rome, Paris, Sofia, Warsaw, Prague, and Copenhagen.
• Authorities suspect the threats may be part of a broader pattern of hybrid attacks in Europe, possibly linked to geopolitical tensions involving Russia or Iran, though the origin and motives remain unclear.
• Despite the disruption and multiple hoaxes reported, officials maintain that there is no immediate danger to passengers or airports, continuing to implement strict security protocols.