Hoax bomb threats have hit dozens of European flights this week, with planes diverted and fighter jets scrambled. Safe and sensible, or just what the hoaxers want?
No bomb has been found and no one has been hurt. Eurocontrol calls the disruption minimal: the 14 threats it knew of on Thursday were 0.05% of flights that day, though media counts were higher. No group or state has been shown to be responsible, and Russia denies involvement. On Friday the threats spread to broadcasters, and Ireland's RTE evacuated its offices.
What happened
On Tuesday at least seven flights and a cruise ship received hoax threats. A second wave on Thursday hit at least 27 flights by media counts, while Eurocontrol said it knew of 14, or 0.05% of nearly 26,300 flights. The EU's transport commissioner reported 11 more on Friday. Planes were diverted or escorted by fighter jets in countries including Poland, Bulgaria, Italy, France and Hungary. All landed safely. On Friday RTE evacuated its offices and suspended programming after an emailed threat.
Why people disagree
One side says airlines have no choice: they answer for passengers' lives, every threat must be ruled out, and RUSI's Robert Jordan says their risk appetite will always be very low. The other side says the response is what gives a cheap email its power. Aviation security academic Philip Baum says most threats are quickly judged non-specific, and each disruption could cost up to $250,000. A full sweep can also push crews past duty limits and lead to cancellations.
What's still unclear
Nobody knows who is behind this or whether the threats are linked. Emails used the names Male State and Mikhail Andropov, but neither sender is confirmed. EU security experts meet in Brussels next week to discuss what measures are needed.
Sources
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