In brief

• Bomb threats were made against at least 21 commercial flights across Europe on Thursday, according to ERR, though other reports gave lower counts.
• Two Finnair flights were targeted; both landed safely and searches found no explosives.
• At least two flights were diverted, and military jets escorted several aircraft.
• No government has publicly blamed anyone for the threats, which come amid suspicions of Russian hybrid attacks.

A string of threats in two days

Estonian public broadcaster ERR reported that at least 21 passenger flights linking European cities received bomb threats on Thursday, a figure that rose during the day. Other outlets cited lower totals, between 12 and 18 flights, as the count changed while authorities worked through incoming warnings. Reports say a similar wave on Tuesday targeted at least seven flights. (Vähemalt 21 Euroopa lennule tehti pommiähvardus – ERR) (Vähemalt 18 Euroopa lennule tehti pommiähvardus – ERR) (Vähemalt 12 Euroopa lennule tehti pommiähvardus – ERR) (Neljale Euroopa lennule tehti pommiähvardus – ERR) (Vähemalt 15 Euroopa lennule tehti pommiähvardus – ERR)

Finnair flights affected

Finnair confirmed that two of its flights were among those threatened. Flight AY1761 from Helsinki to Rome received a warning, and Italian air force fighters escorted it as it approached. The aircraft landed at Rome Fiumicino on schedule at 9.27 local time, carrying 147 passengers and six crew members. Italian authorities met the plane after landing and searched it, finding nothing unusual. (Reisilennukitele tehtud pommiähvardused segasid Euroopa lennuliiklust – ERR)

A second threat involved Finnair's Helsinki to Vienna service, flight AY1471, which carried 177 passengers and six crew. The aircraft reached Vienna safely, and the threat was also judged to be unfounded. Finnair said it follows a set procedure for such cases and works closely with the authorities. The company's spokesperson described the situation as highly unusual, adding that every threat is treated seriously. (JÄLLE! Euroopa lennuliiklust raputavad taas mõistatuslikud pommiähvardused – ohtuleht.ee)

Diversions and fighter escorts

At least two flights were redirected. A flight operated by Irish carrier Aer Lingus, travelling from Dublin to Rome, had to land at the Évreux military air base in France. Other aircraft were escorted by military jets. No explosive devices have been located in any of the aircraft searched so far.

Wider context

Several European governments have blamed Russia for sabotage and hybrid attacks in recent months. Denmark, Poland and Romania, all affected by Thursday's disruption, have previously accused Moscow directly. Germany attributed an August attack on Leipzig airport to Russia. Russia has denied involvement, as has Iran, which Britain once linked to a possible plan against a US air base. No government has publicly blamed anyone for this week's threats. (Euroopa lennufirmasid tabasid pommiähvardused - Lõunaeestlane – lounaeestlane.ee)

Aviation security specialists note that most of the countries hit by the threats back Ukraine against Russia's invasion, and warn that hybrid campaigns are cheap, hard to attribute and unlikely to draw a military response.

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• Bomb threats hit more than a dozen European flights in one day; no explosives found