Expert: Bomb threats against aircraft are a hybrid attack; fares may rise by up to 30%

Todor Ivandzhikov, chair of the Bulgarian Aviation Industry Association, described the growing number of bomb threats against passenger aircraft in Europe as "yet another hybrid attack on Europe". He was speaking on bTV's morning programme "Tazi Sutrin" on 6 November 2026, a day after bomb threats affected at least 27 flights in Europe, including three bound for Bulgaria. Ivandzhikov gave no evidence of who is behind the threats.

BULATSA: the cases are not new, but more frequent

Ivan Dyaksov, director of the Bulgarian Air Traffic Services Authority (BULATSA), told bTV that such situations are not new but have become more frequent over the past week. He said BULATSA acts according to established procedures.

According to Ivandzhikov, the decision on where an aircraft lands is taken by the captain or the airline. Threats can arrive by email, through the 112 emergency number or from another country, and military aircraft can be sent as an escort if needed. Checks so far have found no explosive devices, he said.

A suggested link to cyberattacks

Ivandzhikov suggested a possible link between the threats and cyberattacks on European institutions, noting that Bulgarian institutions are also targeted. In his view the attacks come "from the east", but he did not point to specific evidence. Tracing the source is difficult because different internet addresses and communication channels are used, he explained. Flank has found no official confirmation of who made the threats at the time of publication.

Costs for airlines and states

When a flight is diverted, passengers are usually not entitled to financial compensation, but the airline must provide a way for them to reach their destination, for example by bus, Ivandzhikov said. Losses for airlines and states include fuel costs, disrupted schedules and the scrambling of military aircraft.

Ivandzhikov forecast that air fares in Europe may rise by 10–30% next year, and that prices may be considerably higher when booking shortly before a flight. He also warned of jet fuel shortages at some European airports that limit the number of flights. In his view Bulgaria is not among the affected countries. The price forecast is the expert's own estimate, not data from airlines or regulators.

He urged passengers not to panic and to follow procedures.