Wizz Air flight diverted to Budapest after bomb threat prompts military escort
A Wizz Air passenger flight from London Luton to Sofia was diverted to Budapest on Monday, 2 November, after a bomb threat prompted Hungarian authorities to deploy a military fighter jet.
Flight W64302, operated by an Airbus A321neo, was travelling towards the Bulgarian capital when the aircraft changed course and headed for Hungary.
A Hungarian Air Force Gripen fighter jet was scrambled to escort the passenger aircraft through Hungarian airspace. The Wizz Air service subsequently landed safely at Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport, where police and airport security personnel carried out inspections.
The airline later confirmed that nothing suspicious had been found during the checks.
The origin of the threat has not been publicly established, and no arrests have been confirmed in the information released by authorities.
Flight diverted while travelling towards Bulgaria
The aircraft departed London Luton at approximately 8.33am GMT and was due to arrive in Sofia later that day.
Flight-tracking information showed the aircraft changing course while travelling over Bosnia and Herzegovina before heading towards Budapest.
Hungarian authorities were alerted to the security threat and arrangements were made for the aircraft to land at the capital's international airport.
The passenger jet landed at approximately 11.08am GMT, where security personnel were waiting to examine the aircraft.
Wizz Air confirmed that the diversion followed a bomb threat and said the safety of passengers and crew remained its priority.
Hungarian military aircraft scrambled
Hungary's military air defence service deployed a Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet after the warning was received.
The fighter aircraft escorted the Wizz Air service towards Budapest, remaining involved until the passenger jet completed its approach.
Following the landing, the military aircraft returned to its base at Kecskemét.
The deployment was a precautionary security response. Authorities have not reported evidence that an explosive device was present on board.
Security searches find nothing suspicious
Police and airport security personnel inspected the aircraft following its arrival in Budapest.
Passengers were also subjected to security procedures while checks were completed.
Wizz Air subsequently confirmed that no suspicious items had been discovered.
The airline said the aircraft would continue to Sofia once the necessary procedures had been completed.
The inspection brought the immediate security emergency to an end, although the circumstances surrounding the warning remain unresolved.
Questions remain over bomb threat
Authorities have not publicly identified who issued the warning or how it was communicated.
It remains unclear whether the threat originated from an individual connected to the flight or from an external source.
No arrests or criminal charges have been confirmed in the official information reviewed.
The absence of an explosive device does not establish whether the warning was deliberately false. That distinction will depend on any findings released by the relevant authorities.
Hungarian police and aviation authorities have not announced a final investigative conclusion in the information available for this report.
Passengers continue journey after disruption
The diversion interrupted the scheduled journey between London and Sofia and required passengers to undergo security checks in Hungary.
Wizz Air said arrangements were being made for the aircraft to continue its journey following the inspection. Subsequent aviation reporting indicated that the flight departed Budapest later that afternoon.
The airline has not publicly detailed the full extent of the disruption experienced by individual passengers.
The aircraft landed safely, and no injuries were reported in the information reviewed.
Investigation remains outstanding
The immediate emergency concluded after security personnel found nothing suspicious aboard the aircraft.
However, the source of the bomb threat has yet to be established publicly.
Any further developments will depend on statements from Hungarian authorities, Wizz Air or investigators responsible for examining the warning.
Davidson Press will continue to monitor the case for confirmation of the threat's origin, any arrests and the outcome of official enquiries.
