An Airbus A320 aircraft operated by Aer Lingus, which was flying from Dublin to Rome, was diverted to the Évreux airbase in Normandy, northern France, following a bomb threat. The announcement was made by the French Prime Minister's office, with Sébastien Lecornu confirming that the aircraft landed safely. [3]

According to confirmed information, there were 157 people on board the aircraft: 151 passengers and six crew members. Previously, there had been reports that the aircraft had changed direction while flying over the Paris area and made several circles above the Évreux region before declaring an emergency. Crisis management teams (GISTI) were dispatched to the airbase, and passengers were moved to a safe area. [3]

This incident is part of a broader series of bomb alerts that have affected European air transport in recent days. On Tuesday, at least seven commercial flights and a cruise ship in Europe received similar threats, leading to disruptions at various airports. To date, no explosive devices have been discovered following inspections. [3] [1]

Among the previously affected flights are at least four Ryanair flights, including another Dublin-Rome connection, as well as aircraft operated by SAS, LOT, and Wizz Air. For example, a Wizz Air flight connecting London-Luton and Sofia had to make an emergency landing in Budapest, escorted by Hungarian fighter jets. At Rome Fiumicino, two Ryanair flights underwent bomb disposal operations following anonymous tips. [1] [3]

Authorities have not yet communicated whether there is a link between these isolated threats. No group or entity has claimed responsibility for these incidents. The situation raises concerns about hybrid threats against critical infrastructure, amid geopolitical tensions accelerated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. French services are monitoring the situation 'in real time,' adhering to standard security procedures. [3]

As the story develops

Update

Aer Lingus aircraft diverted from Dublin to Rome makes emergency landing in France following bomb threat

At the time of the alert, there were no official details regarding the origin of the threat, the number of passengers, or the specific actions taken by local authorities. [2]

This incursion into the category of hybrid alerts occurs within a broader context of instability: on Tuesday, ten commercial flights in Europe were targeted by similar threats, with inspections failing to identify explosive devices. [2]

The impact of the series of alerts was significant, affecting at least four Ryanair flights (including another Dublin-Rome connection) and aircraft from SAS, LOT, and Wizz Air, causing increased security checks, diversions, and temporary closures of some airports. In Rome Fiumicino, two Ryanair flights required bomb disposal units following anonymous reports, while the one coming from Dublin was accompanied by Italian Air Force forces. Complications in European airspace included the diversion of a LOT flight from Heathrow, originally destined for Warsaw Chopin, to Warsaw Modlin. In Bulgaria, border police reported receiving email alerts regarding two airplanes arriving in Sofia, leading to appropriate inspections. The chain of incidents culminating in the diversion of the Aer Lingus aircraft began with a Wizz Air flight from London-Luton to Sofia, forced to make an emergency landing in Budapest under the escort of Hungarian fighter jets. [2]

Update

Aer Lingus aircraft diverted from Dublin to Rome makes emergency landing in France following bomb threat

In the period immediately preceding this event, approximately ten commercial flights, including two from the United Kingdom, were targeted by similar threats, with inspections failing to identify explosive devices. [5]

A LOT plane arriving from London Heathrow was diverted to Warsaw Modlin, and a flight from Manchester to Murcia (Spain) was affected in flight. A Wizz Air flight from Milan Malpensa to Warsaw (flight code W4 6387) was diverted in Austria after receiving a bomb alarm while flying over the Czech Republic, landing in Vienna. The company stated that the diversion was initiated according to security protocols, in cooperation with competent authorities. [5]

The flight, identified as EI402, landed safely, with all those on board reported to be in good condition. Risk teams were called in to inspect the aircraft. The Évreux Airbase (also known as Base Aérienne 105) is a facility of the French Air and Space Force near the town of Évreux, functioning as a major hub for tactical logistics and military transport. [4]

Update

Aer Lingus aircraft diverted from Dublin to Rome makes emergency landing in France following bomb threat

This is the third wave of bomb alerts this week. Two other aircraft were diverted: a Finnair flight connecting Helsinki to Rome and a Wizz Air flight connecting Milan to Warsaw, the latter having landed in Vienna. In addition to Aer Lingus, the Italian news agency Ansa indicated that at least two other aircraft had been targeted: a Wizz Air Airbus A321 (from Milan Malpensa to Warsaw, diverted to Vienna) and a Finnair flight (from Helsinki to Rome, which landed normally under the escort of Italian fighters). Among other affected flights, a Wizz Air Airbus A321, departing from Milan Malpensa at 7 AM for Warsaw, was diverted to Vienna after receiving a threat in flight. A Finnair flight from Helsinki, destined for Rome Fiumicino, landed around 9:30 AM under the escort of Italian fighters. Deminers inspected the aircraft. Verification operations in Rome were proceeding normally without disrupting the airport. In Rome Fiumicino, checks after the landing of the Finnair flight proceeded without disturbing airport operations. Wizz Air stated that it would 'reroute passengers to their final destination as soon as possible.' Aer Lingus confirmed to Ouest-France that flight EI402 was diverted 'as a precaution.' [7] [8] [9]

The aircraft in question is an Airbus A320-200 registered as EI-DEH. Flight EI402 departed from Dublin at 7:23 (Paris time) and was scheduled to land at Rome Fiumicino at 10:35. At 9:11, after 90 minutes of flight at 37,000 feet, the pilots transmitted the squawk code 7700, indicating an emergency on board. Although initially redirected towards Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle, the aircraft was ultimately diverted to the Évreux airbase, where it landed at 10:04. 'Our operational standby took off to intercept this airliner due to suspicions of a bomb alert,' stated the French Air and Space Force. The 151 passengers on flight EI402, who were due to arrive in Rome around 10:30, did not reach their destination. The aircraft was diverted to France following suspicions of a bomb alert. According to Flightradar24, the aircraft flew over Île-de-France before heading towards Normandy, where it landed shortly after 10:00 AM. The Air Force confirmed the interception and diversion to Évreux. [7] [6]

The aircraft was intercepted by a Rafale fighter jet and escorted to the Évreux airbase. Sirpa Air confirmed that the operational standby of the French Air and Space Force took off to intercept the aircraft following suspicions of a bomb alert. This intervention, foreseen by operational measures aimed at ensuring the sovereignty and security of French airspace, was carried out. A journalist from Ouest-France confirmed seeing the aircraft escorted by a Rafale near Bourgtheroulde, close to Évreux. [8]

Aer Lingus confirmed the diversion of flight EI402 to Normandy 'as a precaution.' [9]

Update

Aer Lingus aircraft diverted from Dublin to Rome makes emergency landing in France following bomb threat

European Commissioner for Transport, Adina-Ioana Vălean, stated that it is too early to determine if these alerts are linked or merely coincidental, but firmly condemned any threat against civilians. 'It is too early to draw conclusions,' said the commissioner on X, reiterating that it is unacceptable to endanger the lives of European citizens. Prague Airport was the most affected by these hybrid attacks, with the first ones being sent via the internet containing messages with bomb threats. No group has yet assumed responsibility for these false or real alerts, and investigations are underway by several security agencies. [10]

Categories:
Security
Entities:
Tags:
RomaniaItaliaLondonBulgariaFranțaPoloniaEuropaRegatul UnitIrlandaDublinRomaVarșoviaBudapestaSofiaMaghiariaÉvreux

Sources

  1. Digi24 Alertă cu bombă la bordul unui Airbus A320 pe ruta Dublin - Roma: avionul a aterizat de urgență la Evreux, în Franța
  2. Unimedia (video) Alertă cu bombă la bordul unui Airbus A320 pe ruta Dublin - Roma: avionul a aterizat de urgență la Evreux, în Franța
  3. G4Media Alertă cu bombă la bordul unui avion care zbura de la Dublin la Roma / Aeronava a aterizat în siguranță la o bază militară din Franța
  4. The Times of India Bomb scare forces Dublin-Rome flight to make emergency landing in France
  5. metro.co.uk More passenger planes forced into emergency landings after bomb threats over Europe
  6. Femme Actuelle Alerte à la bombe dans un avion : 151 passagers escortés par l'armée française, l'appareil dérouté vers une base militaire
  7. leprogres.fr Transports. Au moins 12 alertes à la bombe sur des avions européens, un A320 d'Aer Lingus dérouté sur ...
  8. linternaute.com Alerte à la bombe dans un avion A320 en vol : l'avion dérouté à Evreux après une série de menaces... Ce que l'on sait
  9. ouest-france.fr DIRECT. Alertes à la bombe : après le déroutement d’un avion Dublin-Rome vers Évreux, onze autres vols visés e
  10. 20 Minutes Un vol Dublin-Rome dérouté vers Evreux après une alerte à la bombe