Sofia: An Austrian Airlines flight from Tel Aviv to Vienna diverted to the Bulgarian capital Sofia on October 18 after a bomb threat was reported, prompting a fighter jet escort and a security search of the aircraft. Authorities later confirmed that no danger was found.
The Airbus A320, operating as flight OS82, was carrying 51 passengers and six crew members when the crew reported the threat near the Romanian border. The aircraft landed safely in Sofia, where passengers were taken off the plane while security checks were carried out.
The Bulgarian Air Force scrambled a MiG-29 fighter jet to escort the aircraft to the airport, according to the country’s transport ministry. Officials established a crisis response team and launched an investigation into the incident.
Austrian Airlines confirmed on October 19 that a threat had been made against the flight, which required an unscheduled stop in Sofia. The airline said searches of the aircraft, passengers and crew found no danger. All passengers subsequently reboarded, and the flight continued to Vienna. <
The incident follows a separate security alert involving a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv from Dubai in late September. UAE authorities said the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain and intended to seize control of the aircraft, but the crew and passengers intervened before the plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia.
Last week, Croatia and Germany also scrambled fighter jets after a commercial flight travelling from the Greek island of Corfu to Nuremberg mistakenly transmitted a hijacking alert. The aircraft landed safely, and the incident was attributed to an accidental alert.
The latest diversion highlights the security procedures airlines and aviation authorities follow when threats are reported. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the Austrian Airlines alert, while the flight resumed its journey after checks found no danger.
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