Wizz Air Says No Bomb Was Found After Flight Diverted to Budapest

On 2 November, a Wizz Air flight travelling from London Luton to Sofia was diverted to Budapest after a bomb threat was received during the flight. Wizz Air confirmed that the aircraft landed safely at Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport and that the relevant authorities carried out security checks on the aircraft and passengers. According to tportal and Sky News, a Hungarian Gripen fighter jet escorted the passenger aircraft to the airport. Hungary's Defence Minister, Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, announced the deployment of the fighter jet.

The most important information emerged after the initial reports. András Rádó, Wizz Air's Head of Corporate Communications, confirmed to Bulgarian National Television (BNT) that no bomb was found on board. He also said that passengers were searched. Der Spiegel, citing the Bulgarian news agency BTA and broadcaster BNT, reported that all security checks were completed successfully without any threats being identified. The aircraft subsequently continued its journey and landed safely in Sofia.

The confirmed facts are therefore that the aircraft was diverted following a bomb threat, that Hungarian authorities carried out security checks and that no explosive device was found. Tportal reported that authorities were continuing their investigation, but the available reports do not identify who made the threat or explain how it was communicated.

It is important to distinguish between a bomb threat and an actual explosive device being found. The fighter jet escort and the security measures show that the authorities treated the warning seriously. However, these measures do not mean that a bomb was actually on board. In this case, the subsequent inspections did not confirm the reported threat.