An Irish airline Aer Lingus Airbus A320, operating flight EIN40G to Rome, was urgently diverted to the Évreux military airbase in France on Thursday following a bomb alert. The decision was made while French authorities were monitoring the situation 'closely', according to the office of French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, as confirmed by The Guardian.

Data from the flight tracking platform Flightradar24 captured the aircraft's route: it initially followed the normal path to Rome, crossing the English Channel, but changed course southwest of Paris. The aircraft performed several holding maneuvers near Chartres before arriving at the French military bases. Shortly after the alert was triggered, the plane landed safely at Évreux.

French authorities have not yet provided details regarding the nature of the threat, the identity of the person who issued the alert, or the results of inspections conducted onboard after landing.

The incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened tension in European aviation. The Thursday alert represents the eighth such incident in Europe within a few days. Two days prior, no fewer than seven airplanes operating flights in Europe were targeted by bomb threats, all of which proved to be false.

Companies affected during this period include LOT Polish Airlines, SAS, Wizz Air, and Ryanair. Two of the incidents involved Rome Fiumicino Airport, where, following anonymous tips, aircraft underwent bomb disposal operations and were escorted by air force forces. This series of threats led to security checks, diversions, and temporary closures of some airports.

As the story develops

Update

Investigation investigates Aer Lingus airplane pilot for refusal to land at a military base

French prosecutors have opened an investigation into the conduct of the pilot of the Aer Lingus plane diverted to France after a bomb threat, AFP reports. The judicial decision comes after the pilot allegedly initially refused to land at the Évreux military airbase, requesting to land on a civilian runway instead. [3]

Update

Investigation into pilot's refusal to land at the military base

Rémi Coutin, the Prosecutor of the Republic in Évreux, announced the opening of an investigation to clarify the behavior of the Aer Lingus airplane pilot, who refused to comply with the order to land at a military airport, preferring a civilian one. [4]

The Airbus A320, carrying 157 people, finally landed at the 105 Air Forces Military Air Base in Évreux, Normandy. [4]

Prosecutor Rémi Coutin told AFP that the Irish pilot will be heard publicly, with the decision on any potential detention deferred. He reiterated the need to clarify the reason behind the pilot's refusal to obey the landing order at the military airport. [4]

After landing, all passengers disembarked and were checked by gendarmes, then boarded buses that transferred them to a gymnasium located on the airbase. [4]

Emmanuel Macron's presidential advisor reacted to the event, stating that authorities remain vigilant and that 'there will be no complications' regarding security measures, emphasizing the importance of cooperation between European states. [4]

Prosecutor Coutin specified that two French fighter jets were mobilized to escort the aircraft to Base 105, considering the act a specific offense under the transport code. [4]

This is the third time this week that false bomb alerts have disrupted European air traffic, with multiple Thursday flights heading to destinations other than those scheduled. [4]

By Thursday noon, approximately 15 flights had been targeted by false bomb alerts, according to various authorities and companies. All aircraft landed safely, without major incidents. [4]

Update

Aer Lingus plane diverted to France after bomb threat; eighth European incident

The Prosecutor of the Republic in Évreux, Rémi Coutin, confirmed the opening of an investigation into the pilot's behavior, who allegedly initially refused to follow the order to land at the 105 Military Air Base, preferring a civilian runway. As a result, two Rafale fighter jets were mobilized to escort the aircraft. The act is analyzed as a specific offense provided for by the Transport Code. [6]

Katie McAteer, a passenger traveling to Rome for a wedding, told RTÉ that the pilot initially announced a technical issue and landing in Paris, before seeing a fighter jet alongside them. Subsequently, the pilot informed them that the bomb threat was 'not very credible,' but had requested landing at the military base. After disembarking, passengers were checked by gendarmes and transported to a gymnasium, where they remained waiting for alternative transport arrangements. [5]

The office of French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu issued a statement accusing the pilot of lack of cooperation, which prompted the executive branch to order the interception of the plane. Aer Lingus described the diversion as a 'precautionary measure,' without providing details about the reason for the pilot's refusal to obey the military order. [5]

The alert also triggered measures simultaneously for a Finnair flight from Helsinki to Rome. An anonymous threat message indicated that both flights had explosives on board. The Finnair flight landed under escort of the Italian air force, and neither aircraft showed evidence of the threats. [5]

Categories:
Transport
Entities:
Tags:
RomaniaItaliaFranțaPoloniaEuropaRegatul UnitIrlanda

Sources

  1. MediaFax Alertă cu bombă la bordul unui avion care zbura de la Dublin la Roma. A fost deviat către Franța
  2. Adevărul Alertă cu bombă la bordul unui avion cu destinația Roma. Aeronava a aterizat de urgență la o bază militară din Franța. Este al optulea incident produs în Europa în câteva zile
  3. AGERPRES Amenințări cu bombă asupra zborurilor: Anchetă în Franța după ce un pilot a refuzat inițial să aterizeze la o bază militară
  4. observatornews.ro Anchetă în Franţa: un pilot a refuzat iniţial să aterizeze la o bază militară, după o ameninţare cu bombă
  5. SpotMedia Alerte cu bombe: Pilotul cursei Dublin – Roma este anchetat, după ce a refuzat să aterizeze la o bază militară
  6. informat.ro Ancheta in cazul pilotului Aer Lingus escortat de avioane de vanatoare