Investigations are ongoing into an American Airlines flight that was diverted to Rome due to a bomb threat. The flight, AA292, was en route from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to New Delhi when a security threat emerged mid-flight, forcing an emergency diversion.
The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner had taken off from New York on Saturday evening, bound for India’s capital. After crossing the Caspian Sea, the American Airlines crew received intelligence of a potential security risk and requested an emergency landing at Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport.
Italian authorities, acting swiftly, coordinated a safe landing for the aircraft, with two Eurofighter Typhoon warplanes escorting it as a precautionary measure. Though American Airlines has not publicly disclosed the nature of the threat, flight-tracking service FlightRadar24 reported that the diversion was caused by a bomb threat.
In a statement, American Airlines confirmed that the security threat led to the diversion, stating, “We are working closely with local authorities and law enforcement agencies. Safety and security are our highest priorities, and we are providing updates as the situation develops.”
Roberto Rao, a spokesperson for Fiumicino Airport, added that the emergency diversion request was made at around 2 p.m. local time, and the aircraft landed safely at approximately 11:15 a.m. ET. “We immediately agreed and organized a safe landing,” Rao said, noting that the plane was escorted to the airport without further incident.
Upon landing, all 199 passengers disembarked via staircases, while security teams conducted thorough inspections of the aircraft and its baggage. Despite the gravity of the situation, airport operations in Rome remained unaffected.
Local authorities indicated that if the security checks cleared the plane, it would resume its journey to New Delhi the following day. American Airlines assured passengers that their safety was being prioritized and that accommodations would be made in case of further delays.
This incident occurs amid a surge in bomb threats targeting flights to and from India in recent months. Last October, an Air India flight from Mumbai to New York was similarly diverted due to a bomb threat, which was later found to be a hoax.
As investigations into the American Airlines flight continue, the Federal Aviation Administration has yet to comment on the incident. American Airlines has reiterated its commitment to safety while coordinating with law enforcement to assess the situation and ensure the security of future flights.
