Bomb Threats Disrupt European Commercial Flights

Nov 6 · Weekly total of disrupted European flights reaches 33 Updated 19:40

The NY Post reported that at least 25 European flights were grounded on Thursday, including flights in Denmark and Romania. CNBC reported that at least 27 flights were impacted, while The Guardian reported that the weekly total of disrupted flights reached 33. Breitbart reported that flights in Spain, Belgium, Poland, and Austria were affected by bomb hoaxes, and two aircraft at British airports were inspected. A group calling itself the 'Fighters of the Male State' issued some of the threats using anti-feminist rhetoric and threatening to 'turn the skies red,' targeting flights to Italy, where Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni leads, according to the NY Post. The Guardian described the 'Fighters of the Male State' as a Russian far-right movement, though it noted the group's founder has not claimed responsibility. A Finn Air flight from Helsinki landed safely in Rome, and an Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome was escorted by a French Rafale fighter jet, per the NY Post and Breitbart. European officials suggested these 'hybrid attacks' may be masterminded by Russia, while Moscow denies responsibility, according to the NY Post. EU transport commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas stated the bloc is investigating but it is too early to determine if the incidents are linked, and noted that information-sharing mechanisms have been activated. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto described the incidents as 'under-threshold warfare' designed to stoke tension, according to The Guardian. The Guardian also reported that investigators found no definitive evidence of state-sponsored orchestration by Russia or Iran. Experts suggested to PBS that the incidents may be 'stress-testing' government responses. PBS reported that the disruptions caused significant operational costs for airlines and governments, and security experts stated that diverting flights can cost up to $250,000 per incident. Air France's CEO described the coordinated nature of the threats as unprecedented, and U.S. Transport Secretary Sean Duffy stated the U.S. is working with European partners to ensure traveler safety.