Key events
Morning opening: European skies on high alert after hoax bomb threats this week
Jakub Krupa
Airlines and airports across Europe are on high alert after a wave of hoax bomb threats targeted commercial flights this week, leaving at least ۳۵ planes searched or diverted.
Authorities will be hoping to see a quieter day today after yesterday’s disruptions.
But one of the incidents yesterday remains under closer scrutiny.
An Aer Lingus pilot who was flying from Dublin to Rome when the plane was diverted to the Évreux military base after a bomb threat is facing scrutiny from the French authorities after reportedly insisting on landing at a civilian airport.
Évreux’s public prosecutor, Rémi Coutin, told ICI Normandie that the pilot’s apparent initial refusal to land where instructed prompted the French military to scramble two fighter jets to intercept the aircraft.
The pilot and his co-pilot will be questioned to “understand what happened,” Coutin said, stressing that he could bring charges for refusing to cooperate with authorities.
In a statement to the Guardian, Aer Lingus backed the pilot, however, saying he and the crew acted “impeccably and thoroughly professional throughout” the incident.
“Safety and the care of our passengers is Aer Lingus’ top priority and this was upheld professionally by the captain and crew of the aircraft throughout in what were very challenging circumstances,” the airline said.
Elsewhere, we are expecting an update on the Belgian government as prime minister Bart De Wever meets King Philippe to discuss next steps after the collapse of budget negotiations.
Pope Leo is also off to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru in his first overseas trip since his lung surgery last month.
I will bring you all the updates here.
It’s Friday, ۶ November ۲۰۲۶, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
