Diverted or cancelled flight, closed airport: what to do? Drones, bomb threats, your rights

⏱ 3 min read

Drones, bomb threat, landing elsewhere. Below: what to do right away, what next, when to call 112 and what to avoid. The same instructions are in the free SurvivalZone.app and work without internet.

Open in the app (works offline)

First, right now

Listen to the crew and announcements. Planes land elsewhere because of weather, a sick passenger, a fault, a bomb threat or a closed airport, for example because of drones. The crew knows more than the news.
Keep your seat belt on and stay seated until the crew says otherwise. Keep documents, phone, medicines and wallet on you, not in the overhead locker.
Evacuating down the slides? Leave all bags behind. Slide down, move away from the plane at once and go where the crew or responders point.

Then

Landed at a different airport? Ask the airline at the gate or in its app how you will reach your destination. In the EU the airline must arrange onward travel or transport to the airport on your ticket.
Long wait for a flight from the EU, or into the EU on an EU airline? You are entitled to meals and drinks, and if departure moves to the next day, to a hotel and transport too. This applies to drones and storms as well, although cash compensation is then usually not due.
Flight cancelled? Choose a refund or another flight: the earliest possible or a later date. Choosing one option closes the others.
Keep boarding passes and receipts for food, hotel and taxi. Take a photo of the departures board and note what staff told you.
Text your family that you are safe and where you landed. Abroad outside the EU? Register with your foreign ministry's travel service and follow its advice.
Bomb threat or terminal evacuation? Follow security staff, never leave bags unattended and do not go back for belongings.

When to call 112

Someone is unconscious, has chest pain or was injured during the evacuation. On board, call the crew first; on the ground, call 112.

What not to do

Do not take bags from the lockers during an evacuation or onto the slide. Hard cases injure people and damage the slide.
Do not film the evacuation or stop in the aisle.
Do not joke about bombs at an airport or on a plane. It can lead to arrest and a fine.
Do not accept a voucher if you prefer your money back. The airline may offer one, but you can say no.

Frequently asked questions

What am I entitled to if my flight is diverted to another airport?

In the EU the airline must arrange onward travel or transport to the airport on your ticket. During a long wait you get meals, and overnight a hotel too.

Do I get compensation if the airport closes because of drones?

Usually not, as it is an extraordinary circumstance. Your right to care (meals, hotel) and to a refund or another flight still applies.

Can I take my bag during an aircraft evacuation?

No. Leave all bags behind. Keep documents, phone and medicines on you during the whole flight so you never need to reach for them.

Keep it on your phone

SurvivalZone.app is a free app for every emergency, with no account and no app store. It works without internet and shows the nearest shelters and help points, local radio, a 72-hour plan and a mountain trip planner.

Open SurvivalZone.app

Thank you for reading. If this could help someone, send it to the people you care about. Getting ready takes a moment, and in a crisis every minute counts.

Coming soon: the app’s permanent address will be survivalzone.app.

Other scenarios

Sources

Official sources are checked automatically every day. Last check: 2026-11-08.

General guidance only; it does not replace the emergency services. If a life is in danger, call 112.