Austrian Airlines Flight from Tel Aviv Makes Emergency Landing in Sofia After Bomb Threat Signal

An Austrian Airlines flight travelling from Tel Aviv with fifty-seven people on board made an emergency landing in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia following a "bomb threat signal", Sky News reported on Sunday, citing the country's transport ministry.

Austrian Airlines and the ministry did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment, and Reuters said it could not immediately verify the report. Data from air tracker Flightradar24 showed that an Airbus A320, registered OE-LZE, was scheduled to depart Tel Aviv for Vienna at 6:40 p.m. but was instead diverted to Sofia at 9:25 p.m.

There were six crew members and fifty-one passengers on board, Sky added, citing initial details from the ministry. "During the flight, on the border with Romania, the crew reported a bomb threat signal and decided to land in Sofia extraordinarily," the ministry said in a statement.

An Air Force fighter accompanied the plane until it landed in Sofia, the ministry added, with the passengers subsequently taken off the aircraft. Authorities are expected to carry out security checks on the aircraft and baggage before the flight is cleared to continue, and further details regarding the nature of the threat have not yet been disclosed.

The incident highlights the heightened security protocols in place for international aviation and the swift response procedures activated when potential threats are reported mid-flight.

Source: Reuters