Austrian Airlines finds no threat after bomb alert diverts Tel Aviv-Vienna flight to Sofia

Austrian Airlines flight OS82 faced a critical situation when it was diverted to Sofia due to a bomb threat.

Austrian Airlines said on Monday that searches of the aircraft operating flight OS82, along with its passengers and crew, in Sofia revealed no threat after a security alert forced the Tel Aviv–Vienna flight to divert on Sunday.The airline said the aircraft, carrying 51 passengers and six crew members, resumed its journey to Vienna from Sofia later that night, with all passengers remaining on board, according to the news agency Reuters.Earlier, an Austrian airlines flight travelling from Tel Aviv to Vienna made an emergency landing in Sofia, Bulgaria, after its crew reported a bomb threat during the journey, prompting a security operation.The Airbus A320, operating as flight OS82, was diverted to Sofia after the threat was reported near the Romanian border, according to Bulgaria’s Ministry of Transport and Communications. All passengers were evacuated after the aircraft landed.A Bulgarian Air Force fighter jet was also scrambled and escorted the aircraft until it reached Sofia airport, the ministry added. Authorities subsequently set up a crisis management headquarters and began inspecting the plane.

Anonymous bomb report triggers security alert

According to Israeli news outlet Ynet, passengers said the diversion followed an anonymous report alleging that a bomb was on board. The Times of Israel also reported that security concerns emerged after a suspicious object was allegedly spotted on the aircraft’s deck. The plane reportedly transmitted an emergency signal.The aircraft was carrying a delegation of young people scheduled to speak at the United Nations, The Times of Israel reported.The incident comes less than three weeks after a security scare involving a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv.