Just days after there were multiple bomb threats made against flights across Europe, with more than a dozen flights targeted, the continent is seeing a repeat of events.
Europe has been on edge with recent drone incursions and a cyberattack on supermarket refrigeration systems, so officials are taking every threat seriously, according to Associated Press report.
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the EU’s transportation commissioner, said there were 11 more threats on Friday. Affected flights and airports in this latest round included Copenhagen, Prague, Lisbon, Rome, and Bucharest. France’s office of the Prime Minister noted that four flights over the country were affected; the specific flights were not identified, but the office said all four landed at Paris’ Orly airport and were inspected.
The hoaxes have not yet been linked to any individuals, groups, or nations, although one email sent to Roman officials claimed to be from an “anti-feminist” organization.
Robert Jordan of Britain’s Royal United Services Institute think tank told the BBC that it is easier than ever for people or groups to make anonymous threats, especially with secure messaging apps.
“The risk appetite for airlines is always going to be incredibly low,” Jordan said. “It is baked into their safety procedures, and it’s baked into their security procedures.”
Tzitzikostas indicated that there would be a meeting in Brussels next week to discuss the ongoing threats and what measures are needed to deal with them in the future.
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