Wizz Air flight makes emergency landing at Budapest Airport due to bomb threat

A Wizz Air flight travelling from London to Sofia was forced to divert to Budapest Airport on Monday after receiving a reported bomb threat. Hungarian Gripen fighter jets escorted the aircraft, while emergency services and counter-terrorism units were deployed.

Wizz Air flight makes emergency landing at Budapest Airport

The Airbus A321neo turned back over Bosnia and Herzegovina and requested permission to land at Budapest’s Liszt Ferenc International Airport.

The aircraft landed safely at 12:08 local time on Runway 2, according to initial reports. Firefighters, police and counter-terrorism personnel were waiting at the airport, with the aircraft subsequently parked at stand B5. The incident prompted the temporary closure of Runway 2, with all arriving and departing flights redirected to the airport’s other runway, reports Tudásmorzsák.

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Hungarian fighter jets scrambled

Hungarian Defence Minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi confirmed that the Hungarian Defence Forces had responded to the incident after a bomb threat was reported on the London-Sofia service. According to the minister, NATO’s air defence alert system issued an ALPHA alert, prompting Hungarian Gripen fighter jets to take off within minutes.

The military aircraft escorted the passenger plane to Budapest, ensuring its safe landing before returning to their base in Kecskemét. The minister praised the Hungarian military’s readiness, emphasising its ability to respond immediately to threats to the country’s airspace. Following the aircraft’s arrival, responsibility for further measures was handed over to the police.

Authorities have yet to release further details about the alleged bomb threat, including whether any suspicious items were found on board or whether the threat was deemed credible. The incident remains under investigation.

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