Wizz Air diverts to Budapest after threat

Wizz Air Flight 4302, operating a route from London Luton to Sofia, diverted to Budapest on Sunday after receiving a mid-air bomb threat. The aircraft landed at Liszt Ferenc International Airport at 12:09 local time, an hour and sixteen minutes earlier than its scheduled arrival in the Bulgarian capital. Hungarian Defence Minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendis confirmed that his country provided a Gripen fighter jet to escort the passenger plane to the airport.

The flight had departed Luton at 08:33 GMT, according to flight tracking data. Ruszin-Szendis stated on social media that the Wizz Air crew requested permission to land in Budapest immediately after receiving the threat. The military jet took off within minutes of the request and guided the commercial aircraft to the runway before returning to its base.

Upon landing, the Wizz Air jet taxied to a designated stand where authorities conducted security checks on both the plane and its passengers. A Wizz Air spokesperson said the airline cooperated fully with local officials during the process. The company described the safety of passengers and crew as its highest priority while the inspection took place.

The airline later announced that the inspection was complete and that nothing was found on the aircraft. Wizz Air said the plane would depart again shortly after the clearance. Police took charge of the incident after the military escort concluded its role. The original destination, Sofia, was still the final stop for the passengers once the flight resumed.