Bomb threat on Heathrow flight: plane with 181 on board diverts to Warsaw Modlin

Updated 3 Nov 2026, 10:53 · First published 3 Nov 2026

A plane flying from London Heathrow to Warsaw with 181 people on board made an unscheduled landing at Warsaw Modlin Airport on Tuesday morning after a bomb threat. The airport has been closed until further notice while bomb disposal experts check the aircraft.

What happened on the Heathrow to Warsaw flight?

The Boeing 737 MAX 8 left Heathrow at 6.30am and was due to land at Warsaw Chopin Airport. According to a statement from Warsaw Modlin Airport, a bomb threat alert was declared on board at 9.54am Polish time. The plane was diverted to Modlin, about 40km north of Warsaw, and landed there at 10.01am.

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Polish media, including Rzeczpospolita and Fly4free, report that the aircraft belongs to LOT Polish Airlines. The flight number has not been made public, and LOT had not commented at the time of writing.

The flight was not on its way to London and did not turn back. According to the airport, it was flying from London Heathrow to Warsaw Chopin, and was sent to Modlin instead.

What did Modlin Airport say?

Airport spokesman Adam Szabłowski told TVN Warszawa that 181 people were on board. He said the airport was “waiting for the pyrotechnicians”, the bomb disposal experts. The plane still had about 3.7 tonnes of fuel when it landed.

Where are the passengers now?

At around 11am Polish time (10am UK), the airport said the passengers had been evacuated and were waiting in the arrivals hall. Bomb disposal officers are checking the aircraft and the passengers’ luggage. Once the checks are finished, the aircraft is expected to fly on to Warsaw Chopin.

No explosive device has been confirmed. The airport says it will publish updates on the situation and on when flights can resume.

Was there a second alert in Warsaw?

Yes. An SAS flight from Copenhagen landed at Warsaw Chopin Airport at around 9.30am Polish time after a bomb threat on board, RMF FM reports. Chopin Airport was not closed and is operating normally while services check that aircraft.

What does it mean if you are flying to or from Modlin today?

Modlin is a major base for Ryanair, with many flights to and from London Stansted and Luton. While the airport is closed, flights may be delayed, cancelled or diverted. If you are travelling today, check with your airline before you go to the airport.

Sources: Warsaw Modlin Airport statement; Rzeczpospolita; Interia; Dziennik.pl; Fly4free; Polsat News; TVN24; RMF FM; Metro. Photo: Markus Winkler / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.