Copenhagen police said they went to the airport for a second straight day Friday after threats against air traffic.
by ALEXX ALTMAN-DEVILBISS | The National News Desk
(TNND) — Flights across Europe received new bomb threats Friday, prompting searches and diversions. Two broadcasters also reported security threats.
No explosives were found and no one was injured. The threats followed a week of hoaxes that disrupted flights.
In Hungary, fighter jets escorted three passenger planes after they received threats, Defense Minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi said. The planes were flying from Brussels to Sofia, Prague to Cyprus and Romania.
French officials said four planes flying over France received threats. They landed safely at Paris’ Orly Airport, where experts searched them.
Other threats targeted a Tarom flight from Prague to Bucharest and a Ryanair flight from Lisbon to Rome. A Wizz Air flight from Prague to Rome diverted to Venice. Passengers were evacuated after it landed, and airport traffic briefly stopped. Searches found no explosives.
At Prague’s airport, nine flights received threats, spokesperson Denisa Hejtmánková said. Police said their response had little effect on airport operations.
More than two dozen flights were affected by threats earlier this week. Some were diverted while authorities investigated. Officials have not linked the threats to any group or government. They come amid rising tensions in Europe and warnings that Russia may be increasing so-called hybrid threats.
An email sent Thursday to airport authorities in Rome and reviewed by The Associated Press appeared to come from an anti-feminist group. It said the group was targeting a “feminist regime.” Another European airport received a threat with similar wording. It was not clear whether the messages came from the same sender.
Pilots prepare for threats by reviewing procedures with cabin crews, identifying airports where they could land and sometimes carrying extra fuel, said Paul Reuter, vice president of the European Cockpit Association. He called using aviation to cause disruption or spread hoaxes “totally unacceptable.”
RTɒs headquarters in Dublin was evacuated Friday after a bomb threat. The Irish broadcaster replaced live shows with prerecorded programs.
Irish police said they were aware of threats against media organizations in Ireland and Europe and would investigate. U.K.-based broadcaster Sky also reported a security threat. Sky News remained on air. The company said it was working with authorities to keep its staff and operations safe.
It was not clear whether the threats against broadcasters were linked to those against flights.
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said the threats showed how easily people could disrupt daily life and cause fear. He said Dublin would have a “very significant security operation” next week when it hosts meetings of European leaders.
_____Editor's note: The Associated Press contributed to this article.