EU to review bomb hoaxes that affected 20 airports

The threats affected 20 airports in 16 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain and the UK, according to the report. A Finnair flight from Helsinki to Rome was escorted by Italian fighter jets, while a flight from Dublin to Rome was diverted to a French air base.

Eurocontrol told EUobserver that the hoaxes affected less than 0.5 percent of European flights on each of the three days when alerts were sent, and “have not had an impact on the delay in the air traffic network.” None of the threats proved real, but responding to each alarm used staff, time and other resources. Eurocontrol data puts the average cost at €55,000 per affected flight; aviation expert Philippe Baum of Coventry University said costs could reach €220,000. The incidents resulted in millions of euros in losses across the continent.

“We remain at full operational readiness,” EU transport commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas said last week. “Our priority is clear: the safety of passengers and the smooth functioning of European aviation.”