An Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome carrying more than 150 passengers was diverted to France on Friday after air traffic control alerted its crew to a bomb threat reportedly targeting the aircraft. The warning was relayed to the pilots while the plane was flying over Paris, prompting an immediate change of course and an emergency diversion.The aircraft had taken off from Dublin on Friday morning. Just before 9am local time, while flying over Paris, it began descending and turned west towards Charles de Gaulle Airport. The crew first informed authorities in Dublin that the aircraft was diverting to the Paris airport.Three minutes later, the crew sent another message explaining the reason for the diversion. It said: “The plane is diverting due to a bomb on board threat, relayed to them by air traffic control on the ground.”However, the aircraft was subsequently redirected to Évreux-Fauville military airbase following a government order. It landed there shortly after 10am, escorted by French fighter jets.
How bomb threat was relayed to the crew
The threat was communicated to the aircraft through air traffic control on the ground. The crew received the warning while the flight was in the air, prompting them to notify authorities and alter their route.Aviation experts said bomb threats are treated seriously, regardless of their credibility. Once alerted, the crew would typically search the aircraft, including its toilets, galleys and storage areas, for suspicious objects.Anything potentially suspicious would be moved to a designated area where the impact of a possible explosion could be limited.The use of fighter jets during such diversions is also part of the emergency response. They establish communication with the pilots, monitor the aircraft’s movements and guide it towards designated airspace for landing. They also help steer the aircraft away from populated areas.
What happens after an aircraft lands
Once on the ground, an aircraft facing a bomb threat is moved to an isolated section of the airport. Bomb disposal teams then conduct a detailed search.Verified images of the Aer Lingus aircraft at the military airbase showed police officers, soldiers and sniffer dogs on the runway.A passenger, Emily, said those on board were informed about the bomb threat only after the aircraft had landed. The search operation continued for two and a half hours, she said.
Bomb threats disrupt flights across Europe
The Aer Lingus incident was among several disruptions reported across Europe on Friday. Aircraft landing in Bulgaria and Italy also faced bomb threats and were escorted by fighter jets.The latest incidents came amid a wave of bomb threats affecting flights across Europe for the second day this week. The UK has described the threats as malicious hoaxes.Regardless of their origin, the incidents have caused significant disruption to airlines and airports across the continent, with over 30 flights changing their course.