A Wizz Air flight from London Luton to Sofia was diverted to Budapest on Monday after a bomb threat was received while the aircraft was in flight. The Airbus A321neo landed safely in the Hungarian capital, was escorted by a fighter jet, and was cleared to resume its journey after security checks found nothing suspicious.

Flight 4302 departed Luton at 8.33am local time and had been due to arrive in Sofia at 1.25pm local time. After the threat was received, the crew changed course over Bosnia and Herzegovina and requested permission to land at Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport, touching down at about 12.08pm local time.

Fighter jet escort

Hungary’s Defence Minister, Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, confirmed that a Hungarian Air Force Saab Gripen fighter jet was scrambled within minutes and escorted the aircraft to Budapest, after NATO’s air defence readiness service issued an alert. The fighter returned to Kecskemét Air Base once its escort duty was complete, and one runway at Budapest airport was closed while authorities dealt with the aircraft.

Nothing found on inspection

Once on the ground, the aircraft taxied to a designated stand, where police took charge and carried out security checks on the aircraft and passengers. Wizz Air confirmed the diversion and said it was cooperating fully with the authorities, adding that passenger and crew safety remained its highest priority. The airline later confirmed that the inspection had been completed and nothing was found, and that the plane would depart again shortly. Hungarian authorities have begun an investigation into the source of the threat, which has not been disclosed.

Sources: Simple Flying, 2 November 2026; LADbible, 2 November 2026; Sky News and LBC reporting as cited therein.