An American Airlines flight from New York to New Delhi was diverted to Rome due to a “bomb scare”, news agency AFP reported quoting airport officials.
American Airlines flight AA292 departed New York’s JFK International Airport on February 22 and was scheduled to arrive at Delhi but was diverted to Rome. The Boeing plane carrying 199 passengers plus crew landed at Rome’s Fiumicino airport.
Italy’s ANSA news agency also said that the diversion was caused by an “alleged bomb threat”.
The flight has landed safely at the Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport, the airport authorities told ABC News.
“Safety and security are our top priorities and we thank our customers for their understanding,” the airline said in a statement.
The aircraft was escorted by two fighter jets – a standard protocol followed by nations during a security threat – to the Italian airport, AFP reported, adding that all passengers deboarded the aircraft and received assistance.
The airport operations were not affected. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the plane had landed safely “after the crew reported a security issue.”
According to 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 estimated to arrive at the Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport in Fiumicino, Italy at around 5:30 pm local time.
Visuals on social media showed the Boeing 787-9 aircraft being escorted by the Italian Air Force before landing in Rome.