Quick Answer: Austrian Airlines flight OS82 from Tel Aviv to Vienna diverted to Sofia, Bulgaria, on Sunday evening after an anonymous bomb threat called in by an Austrian national who was not on board. The Airbus A320, carrying 51 passengers and six crew, was escorted by a Bulgarian MiG-29 and landed safely. Early indications point to a false alarm.
An airplane bomb threat forced an Austrian Airlines passenger flight into an emergency landing in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Sunday evening, triggering a fighter jet escort.
Flight OS82, an Airbus A320 from Tel Aviv to Vienna, diverted to Sofia after an anonymous bomb threat, Lufthansa Group — the carrier’s parent — confirmed. All 51 passengers and six crew were evacuated safely while security teams swept the jet.
Key Takeaways
- Flight OS82 (Tel Aviv–Vienna) made an emergency landing in Sofia on Sunday after a bomb threat.
- The threat was called in by an Austrian national who was not on board, per Israeli media reports.
- A Bulgarian Air Force MiG-29 scrambled to escort the A320; all 51 passengers and six crew are safe.
- Initial indications suggest a false alarm; Bulgarian authorities are investigating.
What Happened to Flight OS82 Today?
The flight departed Ben Gurion Airport at 18:50 local time. While over Bulgarian airspace, the crew declared a general emergency — squawk code 7700 — and began a rapid descent toward Sofia, Flightradar24 data cited by airlive.net shows.
Bulgaria’s transport ministry said the crew reported the threat near the Romanian border and chose to land in Sofia; a MiG-29 scrambled to accompany the airliner.
“We confirm that a threat was received regarding Austrian Airlines flight OS82 from Tel Aviv to Vienna, as a result of which the flight was diverted to land in Sofia,” Lufthansa said, adding that passengers would be rebooked once security checks were complete.
Who Called In the Threat?
The threat arrived via an anonymous phone call from Vienna, made by an Austrian national not on board, Ynet reported, cited by the Times of Israel and Haaretz. Passengers reportedly included a youth delegation due to speak at the United Nations. Early indications suggest a false alarm, but the investigation continues.
A String of Recent Bomb Threats in Aviation
It comes less than three weeks after a co-pilot on a flydubai flight to Tel Aviv tried to crash the plane in a terror attempt thwarted by the captain and passengers. Last week a Delta jet was searched at Ben-Gurion over a suspicious-item report; nothing was found.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the Austrian Airlines flight from Tel Aviv today?
Flight OS82, an Airbus A320 from Tel Aviv to Vienna, diverted to Sofia, Bulgaria, on Sunday evening after an anonymous bomb threat. A Bulgarian MiG-29 escorted the plane; all 51 passengers and six crew landed safely and were evacuated during the security sweep.
Was the Austrian Airlines bomb threat real?
Like many bombing threats today, this one appears to be a false alarm: Ynet reported the threat was called in by an Austrian national who was not on the plane. Bulgarian authorities are still investigating.
Why did a fighter jet escort the plane to Sofia?
Bulgaria’s transport ministry said a MiG-29 accompanied the aircraft under established procedures for suspected bomb threats against civilian planes.
Is Sofia Airport closed after the emergency landing?
No closure was announced. The A320 was moved to a remote stand for the sweep while normal operations continued; Lufthansa said passengers would be rebooked once checks were complete.
Sources: Haaretz; The Times of Israel (citing Ynet); Lufthansa Group statement; Bulgarian Ministry of Transport and Communications; AFP via Vanguard; airlive.net (Flightradar24 data). Last checked Oct. 18, 2026 — details may change as the investigation continues.
