Investigation in France after a pilot refused to land at a military base following a bomb threat

French justice authorities have opened an investigation into the pilot of an Aer Lingus aircraft that was escorted by two fighter jets to a military base in Normandy following a bomb alert on board. The pilot reportedly initially refused to land at the Evreux air base, saying that he preferred a civilian airport.

The Airbus A320, which was operating the Dublin–Rome route on Thursday, had 157 people on board. The aircraft was diverted to France and ultimately landed at French Air Force Base 105 in Evreux.

Evreux Public Prosecutor Rémi Coutin said that the pilot would be questioned in public, after which it would be decided whether his detention was warranted. He specified that refusing to comply with an order to land at a military airport constitutes an offense under the Transport Code.

The passengers were taken off the aircraft and checked by gendarmes, then transported to a sports hall at the military base. French authorities mobilized fighter jets for the escort.

The incident comes amid a series of false bomb alerts that disrupted European air traffic. By Thursday noon, approximately 15 flights had been targeted, including two flights at Otopeni Airport. All aircraft landed safely.