Aer Lingus Pilots Face Potential Criminal Charges After Resisting Bomb Threat-Related Diversion
French authorities investigate Aer Lingus pilots for allegedly refusing to land a flight at a military airbase following a hoax bomb threat.
POLICY WIRE — Paris, France — French prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into two Aer Lingus pilots who allegedly refused to land their aircraft at a military facility during an emergency.
The investigation centers on an incident occurring last Thursday when a hoax bomb threat was directed at the flight. According to authorities, the pilot and co-pilot initially objected to deviating to the Évreux airfield as instructed by air traffic controllers.
The European Cockpit Association reported that the flight crew members were threatened with legal action following their opposition to the diversion to the French air base.
Despite the initial resistance, the aircraft was eventually forced to land at the military site in Northern France. After undergoing questioning by French officials, both crew members were permitted to depart the country.
This event occurred during a broader wave of anonymous bomb threats targeting European airlines. Thursday’s incident marked the second occasion within the week where flights had to be grounded or diverted due to similar hoax security alarms.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
