Aer Lingus Pilots Questioned by French Prosecutors After Bomb-Threat Diversion of Dublin–Rome Flight

DUBLIN, Nov. 7, 2026 — French prosecutors have questioned the captain and first officer of Aer Lingus flight EI402 after the Dublin–Rome service was escorted by fighter jets to a military air base during a hoax bomb threat on Thursday. Update: our Nov. 6 Aer Lingus story covered its capacity and job cuts; this is a new and separate development.

What happened

EI402 left Dublin at 6:24 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, with 151 passengers and six crew, according to French authorities.
About an hour into the flight, passengers were told the aircraft would divert. France scrambled two fighter jets to escort it to Évreux-Fauville Air Base in Normandy, about 100 km west of Paris.
A bomb disposal unit searched the aircraft and found no explosives or suspicious items.
The pilot allegedly declined an instruction to land at the military base. The French prime minister’s office said the jets were sent after the pilot did not cooperate as expected.
The public prosecutor in Évreux has opened an investigation. Prosecutor Rémi Coutin said the aircraft appeared to prefer a civilian airport. The inquiry could lead to charges if the crew is found to have refused to cooperate; no charges have been reported.
Aer Lingus defended its crew, saying the captain and crew “acted professionally throughout the security incident.” The airline said its pilots fully cooperated and their part in the inquiry has concluded.
The flight was one of at least 27 disrupted by threats on Nov. 5. Ryanair, Wizz Air, Finnair, easyJet, Aegean, Iberia, Sky Express, Air Serbia and LOT were also affected.
Ireland’s foreign affairs minister, Helen McEntee, called the developments extremely concerning. Investigators have not established where the threats came from.

What it means for non-revs

This is a reminder that a security diversion can end at a military field with no terminal, no onward connections and a long wait. If you are standing by on Aer Lingus or other European flights while the threat wave continues, keep essentials in your cabin bag.
Crews’ handling of security events is now under scrutiny in France. Pilots and flight attendants may want to review company guidance on military interception and diversion instructions.
No Aer Lingus schedule changes or travel waivers have been announced because of the threats. Check the airline’s app before you head to the airport.