An American Airlines flight that was originally scheduled to depart from New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport and fly to New Delhi, India, was forced to divert to Rome due to a safety issue on board, landing with fighter jet escort. According to Flight Emergency website and airport sources, the American flight received a bomb threat.
The American Airlines company confirmed that Flight AA292 abruptly turned around near Turkmenistan on Sunday due to a “potential safety issue”.
“Safety and security are our top priorities, and we appreciate the understanding of our customers,” the American company wrote in a statement. “We are working closely with local authorities and will provide updates as the situation develops.”
Flight tracking website Flight Emergency posted on X, “Due to the bomb threat, American Airlines flight AA292 en route to New Delhi was diverted to Rome.”
Reuters reported, citing airport sources, that the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner was carrying about 200 passengers and landed at Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Rome around 16:20 Greenwich Mean Time (approximately 11:15 a.m. Eastern Time). Sources added that the aircraft was flying over the Caspian Sea when the airline warned the crew of the bomb threat.
ABC News reported, citing a senior official familiar with the situation, that they received a bomb threat via email but believed it to be unsubstantiated.
Images on social media showed the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner being escorted by two Italian Air Force Typhoon fighter jets.
The company later stated that Rome law enforcement had inspected and cleared the aircraft for takeoff. However, American Airlines mentioned that the flight would stay overnight in Rome to allow the crew necessary rest before continuing to New Delhi, India, on Monday.
American Airlines did not immediately respond to media requests for comments on the bomb threat.