Flight OS82, an Airbus A320, landed safely in Sofia on Sunday, October 18, with 51 passengers and six crew members on board, according to the airline and Bulgarian authorities.
The aircraft was diverted as it approached the Romanian border after its crew reported receiving a bomb threat signal, Bulgaria’s Transport Ministry said.
“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.
The Bulgarian Air Force deployed a MiG-29 fighter jet to accompany the aircraft to Sofia Airport as part of established emergency procedures. The operation was coordinated with NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre in Spain, according to Anadolu Agency.
Passengers were evacuated after the aircraft landed, and security teams began inspecting the plane. Bulgarian authorities also established a crisis response team to coordinate the response and investigate the incident.
Austrian Airlines confirmed that the threat had forced the flight to stop in Sofia and said passengers would be accommodated on alternative flights while security checks were conducted.
“Once the search of the aircraft is complete, the passengers will be rebooked onto alternative flights as quickly as possible,” the airline said.
No danger was found after security checks. In an update on Monday, Austrian Airlines said searches of the aircraft, passengers and crew in Sofia found no danger.
The flight subsequently continued from Sofia to Vienna with all passengers on board after they reboarded the aircraft, according to the airline.
Earlier reports by Israeli media said the warning had allegedly come from an Austrian citizen who claimed there was a bomb on the aircraft. The person was reportedly not travelling on the flight. The circumstances surrounding the threat remain subject to investigation.
The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of aviation security following an attack on a Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, 2026. During the flight, the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with an axe and attempted to crash the aircraft, forcing it to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The plane was carrying about 180 people, mostly Israelis, all of whom survived.
Following the incident, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a review of security arrangements for foreign commercial flights to Israel. An Israeli Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson also said the country would strengthen security checks on pilots operating flights into Israel, including those employed by foreign airlines.
The motive behind the attack on the Flydubai flight remains under investigation. Israeli officials have, however, raised concerns about possible extremist influences.
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