Austrian Airlines flight diverts to Sofia after bomb threat
The Airbus A320 landed
safely at around 9:25 p.m. with 51 passengers and six crew members aboard. The
aircraft was diverted after the crew reported a bomb threat while flying near
the Bulgarian-Romanian border, according to the Bulgarian Transport Ministry.
Reports showed the
aircraft changing its route to Sofia. ADS-B Exchange data also indicated that
the plane transmitted squawk code 7700, the international signal used to
declare a general emergency.
Bulgarian authorities
dispatched a MiG-29 fighter jet to escort the aircraft to the airport.
After landing, passengers
were evacuated and security personnel began searching the plane, Austrian
Airlines said as per reports.
The airline said it would
arrange alternative flights for affected passengers as soon as the security
inspection was completed.
