A New York-Delhi American Airlines flight was dramatically diverted to Rome’s Fiumicino Airport after a bomb scare on Sunday afternoon (local time). The aircraft was escorted by two Eurofighter jets of the Italian Air Force, ensuring its safe landing.
Mid-Air Security Scare
The American Airlines flight AA292 took off from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport at around 8:11 pm (local time) on Saturday, February 22. While flying over the Caspian Sea, the flight suddenly reversed course and was rerouted to Rome due to a reported security threat.
According to passengers, the pilot announced the diversion around three hours before the scheduled landing in Delhi, citing “security reasons.” The Italian Air Force later confirmed the situation, stating on social media, “#Scramble: In the afternoon, two #Eurofighter jets of #AeronauticaMilitare took off on alert to identify and escort a commercial aircraft headed to Delhi, which had reversed course towards Fiumicino airport due to a report of a presumed explosive device on board.“
Passengers Recall the Tense Moments
Passengers onboard described the tense moments as the fighter jets accompanied the flight. IT consultant Mahesh Kumar told AFP, “They asked us to sit down and not to roam around while the fighter jets were near us.” Another passenger, Yash Raj, called the experience a “horror-comedy” but praised the cabin crew for their professionalism in handling the situation.
Despite the panic, Kumar noted that passengers remained silent and followed instructions. “Everyone was afraid. Everyone was staying quiet and obeying the orders,” he said.
Nature of the Threat Still Unknown
American Airlines did not disclose specific details regarding the threat, only stating that it was a “possible security concern.” However, Italy’s ANSA news agency reported that the diversion was due to an “alleged bomb threat.”
The flight, carrying 199 passengers and crew, landed safely in Rome, and all passengers were deboarded without incident. Authorities are now investigating the nature of the bomb scare and assessing further security measures.
Sources by Agencies