An American Airlines flight from New York to New Delhi was diverted to Rome on February 22 due to a bomb scare. Flight AA292, carrying 199 passengers and crew, landed safely at Fiumicino Airport after an alleged bomb threat was reported. The plane was escorted by two fighter jets as a precautionary measure. The airline emphasized its commitment to safety and thanked passengers for their understanding. All passengers deboarded and received assistance without affecting airport operations. The US Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the plane landed safely after reporting a security issue. Visuals showed the aircraft being escorted prior to landing.
New Delhi:
An American Airlines flight traveling from New York to New Delhi was rerouted to Rome following a “bomb scare,” as reported by AFP, citing airport officials.
Flight AA292, which took off from JFK International Airport in New York on February 22, was supposed to reach Delhi but was diverted to Rome. The Boeing aircraft, carrying 199 passengers along with crew members, successfully landed at Fiumicino Airport in Rome.
Italy’s ANSA news agency also reported that the diversion was due to an “alleged bomb threat.”
The plane landed safely at Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport, as confirmed by airport authorities to ABC News.
“Safety and security are our top priorities, and we appreciate our customers’ understanding,” the airline stated in an announcement.
The aircraft was accompanied by two fighter jets, a standard procedure employed by nations during security incidents, according to AFP. All passengers exited the plane and received necessary assistance.
Airport operations continued without disruption. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) verified that the aircraft safely landed “after the crew reported a security issue.”
As per the flight’s status on the American Airlines website, flight AA 292 departed New York’s JFK airport at 8:14 pm on February 22 and was expected to arrive at Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport around 5:30 pm local time.
Footage on social media depicted the Boeing 787-9 being escorted by the Italian Air Force prior to its landing in Rome.