Picture credits: Italian Air Force
Rome: An American Airlines flight from New York to New Delhi was diverted to Rome after the crew received a bomb threat mid-flight. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, landed safely at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO) in Italy, where extensive security checks were conducted. Authorities later confirmed the threat was non-credible, allowing the flight to resume its journey the following day.
Incident Timeline and Aircraft Details
Flight 292 departed from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York on Saturday, February 22, at 8:00 p.m. local time, bound for Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in New Delhi, India. Approximately halfway through the flight, as the aircraft was over the Caspian Sea near Turkmenistan, the crew received an alert about a possible security threat. According to Italian news agency ANSA, the threat was received via email, prompting an immediate response from the flight crew.
Italian Air Force Escorts Aircraft to Rome
In response to the security concern, the Italian Air Force scrambled two Eurofighter Typhoon jets to intercept and escort the American Airlines flight to Rome. The aircraft was granted priority landing at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, touching down safely at 5:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, February 23. Upon arrival, emergency response teams, including fire trucks and bomb disposal units, were deployed at the airport.
Watch the video posted online by Italian Air Force below:
#Scramble: nel pomeriggio due #Eurofighter dell'#AeronauticaMilitare sono decollati su allarme per identificare e scortare un aereo di linea diretto a Delhi che aveva invertito rotta verso l’aeroporto di Fiumicino (RM) per una segnalazione di un presunto ordigno esplosivo a bordo pic.twitter.com/qocq43lC6H
— Aeronautica Militare (@ItalianAirForce) February 23, 2025
Security Inspections at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport
After the aircraft landed, Italian authorities launched an extensive security verification procedure. Bomb disposal experts and canine units inspected the entire aircraft, cargo hold, and passenger luggage. By 9:00 p.m. local time, authorities concluded that no explosive device or security threat was found, and the alert was lifted.
Passenger Reactions
Passengers aboard Flight 292 experienced stress and uncertainty during the diversion. Neeraj Chopra, traveling from Detroit, recalled that the captain informed them of a change in “security status” about three hours before the scheduled arrival in New Delhi.
Initially unaware of the cause, passengers were concerned when they saw fighter jets escorting the plane. Jonathan Bacon, a passenger from Dayton, Ohio, noticed that the flight tracker showed the plane had veered off course, heading toward Rome. With no internet access, passengers were left in the dark about the situation until they landed.
American Airlines and FAA Statements
American Airlines released an official statement confirming that the plane was diverted due to a “possible security concern,” which was later determined to be non-credible.
“Safety and security are our top priorities, and we apologize to our customers for the inconvenience,” American Airlines said.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also confirmed that the crew had reported a security issue mid-flight, which led to the decision to divert the flight to Rome. Officials at JFK International Airport and Leonardo da Vinci International Airport declined to provide additional comments, referring inquiries to American Airlines.
Flight Delay Due to Crew Rest Requirements
After landing in Rome, the aircraft was cleared by Italian authorities for departure, but it was unable to continue its journey immediately due to mandatory crew rest regulations. According to international aviation standards, crews are required to have a minimum rest period after long duty hours. As a result, Flight remained grounded overnight in Rome.
Ongoing Investigations into the Threat Source
Authorities have not yet disclosed further details about the origin of the bomb threat or who sent the email that triggered the diversion. Investigations remain ongoing, and American Airlines has not released any additional information regarding potential suspects or law enforcement actions.
Following the overnight halt in Rome, American Airlines confirmed that Flight 292 resumed its journey to New Delhi on Monday, February 24, after mandatory crew rest and security clearance. The aircraft departed from Leonardo da Vinci International Airport and is now en route to its original destination.
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