A Wizz Air flight from London Luton to Sofia was diverted to Budapest on Monday after a bomb threat was received during the flight, according to LBC and Sky News. The incident triggered a military escort and a full security response on the ground.
What Happened to the Wizz Air Flight Mid-Flight
LBC and Sky News both report that the threat was received while the aircraft was airborne. Hungary's military responded by deploying a Gripen fighter jet to escort the Wizz Air aircraft to its new destination. Fighter escorts of this kind are a standard NATO-member response when an aircraft in controlled airspace is subject to a security threat.
The Response on the Ground
LBC reports that the aircraft landed at Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport. Once down, LBC reports that Wizz Air said the aircraft taxied to a designated stand where security checks were carried out. Authorities then inspected both the plane and its passengers, as LBC and Sky News confirm.
LBC reports that Hungarian Defence Minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi confirmed the escort and said additional police measures were put in place. A Wizz Air spokesperson said: "Wizz Air is cooperating fully with the authorities. The safety of passengers and crew remains our highest priority."
What This Means for Passengers
For those on board, a diversion of this kind means a significant disruption. Sofia-bound passengers found themselves in Budapest, with the resolution of the security checks determining when and how they could continue their journey. The brief gives no information on what followed once the inspection was complete, and we will not speculate.
Bomb threats against commercial flights, though the vast majority prove to be hoaxes, require a full and immediate response from airlines, militaries and airport authorities. The speed of Hungary's military deployment here reflects how seriously such threats are treated, regardless of their ultimate credibility.
For the latest on aviation security incidents and emergencies, our Squawk 7700 hub tracks live emergencies and maintains an archive of incidents. You can also explore Wizz Air's wider network using our Airline Search tool.
The Bottom Line
This was a swift and co-ordinated response to a serious in-flight threat. The Hungarian military, airport authorities and Wizz Air all acted quickly once the threat was received. We will update our coverage if Wizz Air or the relevant Hungarian authorities release further information about the outcome of the security inspection.
This article draws on reporting by lbc and Sky News.
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