Overview
- The Airbus A320 operating as Austrian Airlines flight OS82 declared a general emergency and diverted to Sofia after the crew received a bomb threat while near the Romania–Bulgaria border on Sunday, October 18.
- The aircraft landed safely with 51 passengers and six crew, was guided to a remote stand, and all aboard were deplaned while specialist teams conducted thorough cabin and hold searches.
- Bulgaria scrambled a MiG‑29 to escort the jet under standard air‑policing procedures and flight‑tracking data showed the crew transmitted squawk code 7700 to signal a general emergency.
- Bulgarian and Austrian authorities formed a crisis response working group and are investigating an anonymous telephone warning reportedly originating in Vienna and whether it connects to other recent calls targeting Israel routes.
- The diversion adds to a cluster of security incidents affecting flights to and from Israel, increasing operational checks, passenger rebooking and wider reviews of crew vetting and flight security procedures.