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European flight alerts: who decides what pilots do next?

Sky News's interview with former controller Michele Robson explains the government decisions behind diversions, as the reported number of threatened flights reaches nine.

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Sky News Story of November 6, 2026Trari Newsroom

Why this story? One of Sky News's most watched videos since yesterday, with 134,662 views.

Multiple European flights diverted after bomb alerts reported

Things we can learn from the video

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0:43Sky reports a safe evacuation after an Aer Lingus flight diverts to an air base in Normandy.
1:03Two Milan-bound flights land safely following alerts, bringing the bulletin's reported total of threatened flights to nine.
2:38Robson explains how controllers escalate threats to supervisors, with governments ultimately deciding the response.
3:52Aviation notices provide a way to communicate broader alerts to pilots.
4:18Sky cites Finnair's statement describing threats to its Helsinki flights as unfounded or hoaxes.
5:03Robson warns of economic damage and lost passenger confidence, while emphasising that air travel remains extremely safe.

Air traffic controllers relay the instructions, but governments ultimately decide the response to a bomb threat, former controller Michele Robson tells Sky News after alerts disrupted flights across Europe.

Her interview adds an operational perspective to the diversions: how a threat moves from the control room to supervisors, government officials and the military, before instructions reach the cockpit.

"Ultimately, the actions are decided by the government, and we simply relay those to the pilot," Robson says.

Sky's report shows an Aer Lingus aircraft on the ground at an air base in Évreux, Normandy. According to the report, its passengers and crew evacuated safely. The bulletin also names affected routes from Heathrow to Warsaw and Manchester to Murcia, before reporting that two flights bound for Milan Malpensa had landed safely following alerts. Those updates bring its reported total to nine threatened flights.

Robson describes the scale as exceptional in her experience: "This is very unusual. In my entire career as an air traffic controller, I never saw anything like this." She also explains how aviation notices can communicate broader warnings to pilots.

Sky cites Finnair's statement that threats affecting its Helsinki flights were unfounded or hoaxes. Robson says the alerts discussed had proved to be hoaxes so far, while warning that disruption can still damage airlines financially and undermine passenger confidence. She stresses that flying remains extremely safe.

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