At least 35 commercial flights across Europe have been searched or diverted this week after a series of bomb threats, with the Romanian airline Tarom confirming its flight ROT226M from Prague to Bucharest was among those affected. The incident unfolded on Friday when the aircraft sent a squawk code of 7700, signalling a general emergency, before landing safely in Bucharest.
The bomb threats, which have hit multiple airlines over the past several days, forced security teams to inspect dozens of planes and divert flights to alternative airports. Details on the total number of airlines affected or the origins of the threats remain unclear. Authorities have described the bomb threat targeting Tarom’s flight as unproven following thorough checks after landing.
Flight ROT226M’s emergency code alerted air traffic control to a potential danger on board. While pilots use the 7700 code only in serious situations, the plane landed without incident and no explosives were found. The passengers were reportedly unharmed and disembarked normally after security sweeps.
This week’s spate of threats disrupted air travel schedules and heightened security at European airports. Several other flights were delayed or rerouted to allow for full inspections. Officials have not publicly identified any suspects or motives behind the hoaxes.
Tarom, Romania’s national carrier, has not released further statements on the incident. Air traffic agencies continue to monitor flights closely amid ongoing investigations.
Bomb threats on commercial aircraft can cause widespread alarm, as seen in past years with similar hoaxes leading to costly delays and emergency responses. The volume of affected flights this week suggests a coordinated series of false alarms rather than isolated incidents.
Security officials have urged passengers and staff to remain vigilant but confirmed that no credible threats have been verified. Airlines are reviewing their safety protocols to mitigate disruptions and ensure passenger safety during the ongoing wave of alerts.
The timing and targets of these threats have not been linked to any known political or extremist groups. European aviation authorities have increased collaboration to respond swiftly to any future warnings and minimize risk to travellers.
Friday’s incident with Tarom’s flight adds to a growing list of flights interrupted by false bomb alerts in recent days. Passengers on ROT226M and other affected flights faced unexpected delays but ultimately reached their destinations without harm.
According to The Guardian.
