Tel Aviv–Vienna flight makes emergency landing in Sofia over bomb threat

An Austrian Airlines Airbus A320 operating a flight from Tel Aviv to Vienna on October 18 made an emergency landing in Sofia. The airline confirmed a bomb threat, saying the “aircraft is being inspected.” There were 51 passengers and six crew members on board.

According to Flightradar24, the plane was flying its usual route when it suddenly turned and landed in Sofia. Three hours later it took off for Vienna, arriving there on the night of October 19.

According to media reports, including Britain’s Sky News, the “bomb threat” came in while the plane was flying over Bulgaria.

Bulgarian authorities told the broadcaster that a Bulgarian Air Force fighter jet escorted the plane before it landed in Sofia. All passengers disembarked at the airport.