Rome was the destination; Normandy is where the journey came to a halt. On Thursday 5 November 2026, Aer Lingus flight EI402, travelling from Dublin to Rome Fiumicino, was diverted to Évreux air base following a bomb threat. The aircraft landed safely. The information available describes a security operation, without establishing at this stage whether an explosive device was present.
Dublin–Rome flight lands at Évreux
Passengers and crew are safe
The diversion of the Airbus A320 was confirmed by the office of the French Prime Minister, whose statements were reported on 5 November by The Irish Times. This was a flight from Dublin to Rome, not the return flight to Ireland.
According to information from Matignon reported by the Associated Press, the 151 passengers and six crew members were brought to safety. Military bomb disposal teams were deployed to inspect the aircraft. The Évreux base, in the Eure department, is a military facility and therefore not a routine commercial stop for the airline.
A security alert, with checks still to be confirmed
The outcome of the checks is not confirmed in the sources consulted
A reported threat and the discovery of an explosive are two different things. The sources consulted confirm the diversion and landing, but do not yet establish the final outcome of the inspection, the origin of the alert or how those affected will continue their journey.
The departure times reported in the first articles differ. We are therefore not giving a precise time in this initial account of the facts. Likewise, no attribution of responsibility can be inferred merely from the activation of this procedure.
What travellers should check
Track your own flight rather than generalising from this incident
This diversion concerns flight EI402. On its own, it is not enough to conclude that Aer Lingus services have been generally disrupted or that Dublin Airport has closed. If you are due to travel today, the right approach is to check the status of your flight number on the official Aer Lingus website and review the messages sent with your booking.
For passengers on the diverted flight, the next crucial information will come from the airline regarding assistance and onward travel to Rome. Anyone waiting for a loved one should refer to these communications rather than the original arrival time. Our guide to travelling with Aer Lingus also provides practical information about the airline.
Information verified on 5 November 2026. The completion of the checks and the continuation of the journey were not confirmed in the sources consulted at the time of writing.
