Bomb threats, attempted hijackings must not become new norm for Israeli travelers - editorial

An editorial by The Jerusalem Post addresses four security incidents involving flights to and from Israel in three weeks, including a bomb threat on Austrian Airlines flight OS82 diverted to Sofia, two false bomb threats on Delta flights from New York, and an attempted hijacking on Flydubai flight FZ1073. The piece argues these incidents must not become the new norm for Israeli travelers and calls for governments and airlines to ensure security standards keep pace.

An editorial by The Jerusalem Post addresses four security incidents involving flights to and from Israel in just three weeks, arguing that these must not become the new normal for Israeli travelers. The most recent incident occurred Sunday evening when Austrian Airlines flight OS82 from Tel Aviv to Vienna was diverted to Sofia, Bulgaria, following a suspected bomb threat. A Bulgarian fighter jet escorted the aircraft, and after a search, no danger was found. The editorial notes two false bomb threats against Delta Air Lines flights from New York to Tel Aviv last week, and the attempted hijacking of Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30. The piece warns that Israeli travelers increasingly depend on foreign airlines under different security jurisdictions, and that malicious threats risk undermining confidence in aviation just as Delta resumed its New York-Tel Aviv service. It calls for investigations into who made the threats and for Israel to work with international airlines and aviation authorities on security standards.