French airports have been evacuated amid bomb threats for the second consecutive day. This morning at least three French airports, in Montpellier, Nantes, and Bordeaux have been the subject of precautionary evacuations.
Current evacuations
Montpellier–Méditerranée Airport (MPL), Nantes Atlantique Airport (NTE) and Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (BOD) currently have evacuations in progress due to bomb threats.
Today’s disruptions follow on from a similar string of precautionary evacuations at six French airports yesterday after threats were received via email.
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Yesterday’s evacuations
On Wednesday 18 October, the affected airports were Lille Airport, Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport, Nantes Atlantique Airport, Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, Toulouse–Blagnac Airport, and Paris–Beauvais Airport.
Flights were cancelled and passengers were evacuated from the terminals around midday yesterday. The airports were subsequently reopened after being searched by police and security forces. No bombs were found.
The evacuations have come at a time of heightened security in France, following the killing of a teacher by an Islamist extremist last week. There have also been a number of protests against the French government’s crackdown on Islamist groups.
Update Thursday 18 October 11:00 UTC
As more information on this morning’s airport evacuations come to hand, it is understood that passenger traffic movements with resume later this afternoon at Nantes Atlantique Airport, after passengers were evacuated for one hour whilst inspections were carried out.
Patrons and passengers at Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport were evacuated at 11:00AM local time following today’s bomb threat.
Update: 1318 UK time…
Scenes are beginning to emerge from airports across France, with this post from Paris Beauvais as an example. Searches are being conducted outside, before passengers are even allowed back into the terminal.
Understood that passengers have been taken to a nearby community hall where further updates will be provided. Still unclear what the next steps will be from the Beauvais side of things.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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