Bomb threat on London flight closes Warsaw airport as jet escorts another plane

A bomb threat on a flight from London Heathrow has forced the closure of Warsaw Modlin Airport, the Daily Mail reported ^[1]. The LOT Polish Airlines aircraft, carrying approximately 118 passengers, was diverted to the secondary airport after the alert, landing safely while security forces began verifying the threat.

According to the Mirror, the Boeing 737 Max 8, identified as flight LO286, had 181 people on board and landed around 10am local time ^[3]. The Independent confirmed the airport remains closed until further notice as authorities investigate the reported explosive device ^[4]. Passengers have been warned of potential delays and schedule changes as emergency crews remain on site.

This incident occurred just a day after a separate scare involving a Wizz Air flight. As the Daily Mail noted ^[1], a Hungarian Gripen fighter jet was scrambled to escort a Wizz Air Airbus A321 flying from London Luton to Sofia. The plane was forced to land at Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport following a U-turn over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Hungary’s defence minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi stated the jet was deployed 'within minutes' to ensure the safety of Hungary's airspace ^[1]. Wizz Air confirmed the diversion and stated that authorities found nothing suspicious during the inspection of the aircraft. The airline emphasised that passenger and crew safety remained the highest priority.

Meanwhile, the Guardian reported that the chaos unfolded against a backdrop of broader European tensions, noting an unexpected visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Berlin ^[2]. While unrelated to the aviation incidents, the timing highlights a busy news cycle. The Polish airport closure remains ongoing, with officials yet to confirm if the threats were false alarms or hoaxes. The situation at Warsaw Modlin is being treated as breaking news, with further updates expected as security checks conclude.