Bomb threat panic in Europe: 34 flights disrupted, fears of hybrid warfare grow

At least 34 flights across Europe were disrupted this week by a wave of false bomb threats, forcing some aircraft to make emergency landings and others to divert from their planned routes. The alerts, which affected passenger planes in multiple countries, are being assessed as possibly part of a coordinated campaign rather than isolated incidents. The disruptions have revived concerns about hybrid warfare in Europe, with officials questioning whether the threats are intended to sow panic and strain aviation systems at low cost. No single airline, airport operator or regulator has been singled out as the sole target, and no confirmed explosive devices have been reported. What to watch next is whether the frequency of hoaxes persists and whether authorities attribute them to a state or non-state actor, which would shape the security response.