AER LINGUS PILOT UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR INITIALLY REFUSING TO LAND DURING BOMB THREAT

What happened: French authorities opened an investigation after an Aer Lingus pilot allegedly refused to land at a military airfield during a hoax bomb threat. The aircraft landed at an air force base in Normandy after two French fighter jets escorted it. Key numbers: Almost 30 flights across Europe were disrupted by hoax Why it matters: A senior Government source said the assumption was the hoaxes were co-ordinated, most likely by agents aligned with Russia or Iran. Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee called the events "extremely concerning" ahead of European summits in Dublin.

French authorities opened an investigation after an Aer Lingus pilot allegedly refused to land at a military airfield during a hoax bomb threat. The aircraft landed at an air force base in Normandy after two French fighter jets escorted it.

A senior Government source said the assumption was the hoaxes were co-ordinated, most likely by agents aligned with Russia or Iran. Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee called the events "extremely concerning" ahead of European summits in Dublin.