Hoax bomb threats disrupt European flights
Hoax bomb threats target European airlines and airports for second time in a week
Friday, 6 November 2026
Photo by Kaden Taylor on Unsplash
Warm-up
- Have you ever had a flight delay? What happened?
- What security checks do you notice most at airports?
- How do you stay calm when travel plans change suddenly?
Vocabulary
- hoax
- a false claim made to trick or scare people
- threat
- a warning that something bad may happen
- divert
- to change the planned route of a vehicle or plane
- escort
- to go with and protect a person or vehicle
- precaution
- an action taken to prevent danger or problems
- assess
- to judge a situation to understand it
- credible
- able to be believed; convincing
- spokesperson
- a person who gives official information to the public
Reading
Listen to this story
British EnglishAt least 21 aircraft and several airports across Europe received bomb threats that officials later called a malicious hoax.
An Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome was diverted to an air base in France and landed safely. Italian Air Force jets escorted a Finnair Helsinki–Rome flight into Rome. EasyJet said its flights from Newcastle and Glasgow were met by police in Prague as a precaution.
In the UK, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the government takes such threats seriously. A spokesperson for London Heathrow said a threat was assessed as not credible. Birmingham Airport also reported a threat and started processes with emergency services.
Some warnings were emailed and claimed by a little-known group, but authorities have not confirmed any link between the incidents.
Comprehension
- How many aircraft were targeted by the bomb threats?
- Which Aer Lingus route was diverted to an air base in France?
- What did Italian fighter jets do for a Finnair flight?
- What did Heathrow say about the credibility of a threat?
- How were some of the warnings reportedly sent?
Grammar focus
Third conditional
If + past perfect, then would have + past participle, to imagine a different past result. Form: If + had + V3, would have + V3. (Examples constructed.)
- If the threats had been real, airports would have closed terminals.
- If authorities had confirmed a link, passengers would have worried more.
Practise this grammar: The third conditional (B1) · Unreal conditionals (B2)
Grammar exercise
Complete each sentence with the third conditional form (would have + V3).
- If the emails had named a device, police (search) ___ longer.
- If crews had doubted the escort, the flight (turn) ___ back.
- If the threat had seemed real, staff (evacuate) ___ areas.
- If checks had missed a bag, teams (find) ___ explosives.
- If Heathrow had closed gates, passengers (miss) ___ connections.
Discussion
- How should airlines balance safety and delays after a hoax?
- What information do passengers need most during a security scare?
- Would you feel confident to fly after a threat is assessed? Why?
- How can authorities discourage future hoax threats?
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