A bomb hoax on a flight from Cardiff to Lanzarote on Thursday could land the culprit with a hefty bill of up to €150,000 and possible prison time after triggering a major security operation at the Canary Islands airport.
The scare unfolded when crew members aboard TUI flight BY6422 discovered a note in one of the aircraft’s toilets warning of a possible explosive device on board.
The flight landed safely in Lanzarote at 10:55am, where Guardia Civil officers, including bomb disposal experts (TEDAX), immediately launched a full security sweep of the aircraft. No bomb was found, and the airport resumed normal operations shortly after, though some departures were temporarily delayed.
Authorities believe the note may have been left as a “bad joke” by one of the passengers. The investigation remains open.
Serious Legal Consequences for Fake Threats
Under Spanish law, such hoaxes carry serious legal and financial consequences. Article 561 of Spain’s Penal Code classifies false bomb threats as a public disorder offence, punishable by three months to one year in prison. But because the incident affected air transport infrastructure, a critical sector, the penalties could rise sharply: Article 557 bis allows for prison terms of up to six years depending on the disruption caused.
If the offender is a minor, they could still face financial liability under Spain’s juvenile justice system, with potential costs falling on their parents or guardians.
The True Cost of a “Joke”
Beyond criminal charges, a prank like this comes with steep financial repercussions. The cost of mobilising police, bomb squads, emergency services, and air traffic controllers is estimated at between €10,000 and €25,000. The airline itself may face losses of €50,000 to €100,000 due to flight delays, cancellations, and compensation for affected passengers. Additionally, individual passengers may pursue civil claims, seeking between €300 and €1,200 each for inconvenience or financial loss.
In total, experts estimate the full cost of the incident could reach between €60,000 and €150,000.
Not the First Case
Spain’s National Court has previously handled similar bomb hoaxes, some of which triggered military escorts. In one case, though the defendant was acquitted, the state still pursued a claim for more than €20,000 to cover the cost of the emergency response.
Elsewhere in Europe, authorities take such offences equally seriously. In the UK, one passenger was ordered to pay over €95,000 in damages after causing a flight diversion due to a false bomb threat.
As the investigation continues, authorities are reminding travellers that “jokes” about bombs or explosives are no laughing matter, and can have devastating consequences.
