Aer Lingus flight targeted with bomb threat as Dublin plane diverted to military airbase
Aer Lingus and Ryanair flights have been targeted by bomb threats this week
A fresh wave of bomb threats has sparked major security alerts across Europe, with an Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome diverted to a French military airbase on Thursday morning.
The latest incident comes just two days after several Ryanair flights, including two departing Dublin Airport, were targeted by suspected bomb threats, prompting aircraft searches and military escorts.
An Aer Lingus flight travelling from Dublin to Rome was forced to divert to France on Thursday, November 5, following a security alert.
Flight EI402, which departed Dublin Airport at approximately 6.25am, was redirected to the Évreux-Fauville military airbase in Normandy as a precaution.
The Airbus A320 was reportedly escorted by a French fighter jet before landing safely. A total of 151 passengers and six crew members were on board the aircraft.
In a statement, Aer Lingus confirmed the diversion, saying the flight had been redirected to Normandy as a security precaution.
The airline said, “the flight landed safely and Aer Lingus will work to re-accommodate customers to their final destination as soon as possible.”
The latest incident follows a series of security alerts on Tuesday, November 3, when at least four Ryanair flights were subjected to checks following suspected bomb threats.
Two of the affected flights had departed Dublin Airport, with one travelling to Rome and another bound for Sofia in Bulgaria.
The Dublin-to-Rome Ryanair flight, FR9611, was escorted by Italian Air Force fighter jets before landing at Rome's Fiumicino Airport.
Authorities subsequently carried out extensive security checks on the aircraft, passengers and luggage.
Another Ryanair service travelling from Lisbon to Rome was also searched following a separate bomb alert.
Meanwhile, a Ryanair flight travelling from Dublin to Sofia was inspected following a threat involving aircraft travelling to the Bulgarian capital. Bulgarian authorities confirmed that no explosives were discovered.
In a separate incident, a Ryanair flight from Manchester to Murcia in Spain was subjected to a security operation after a bomb threat was reported.
The aircraft landed safely, with 114 passengers and seven crew members disembarking while specialist officers inspected the plane. Spanish authorities later confirmed that no explosives had been found.
The incidents form part of a wider series of bomb threats affecting passenger aircraft across Europe this week.
Other airlines, including LOT Polish Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines and Wizz Air, have also been affected, with some flights diverted and airports temporarily disrupted.
Authorities have not established that the threats are connected, and no explosive devices have been discovered in the reported incidents.
Investigations into the source of the threats are ongoing.