Why a wave of bomb threats is proving so difficult for Europe's aviation authorities to contain

Europe’s aviation authorities are struggling to contain a wave of bomb threats that have triggered diversions, emergency landings and military escorts, even though officials describe more than two dozen as malicious hoaxes. The flare-up has disrupted flight schedules, crew duty periods and passenger connections, according to security experts and regulators. Wilfried Covent, head of Covent Consulting, told CNBC that the pattern is unusually systematic, with attackers targeting specific flights in the air—forcing mandatory international response procedures like rapid landings, evacuations and searches. Responsibility is split between national authorities, airport operators, airlines and law enforcement, while EASA and the UK Civil Aviation Authority set broader safety rules and guidance. Any adaptation to procedures, Covent said, would require coordination and likely be kept confidential.