Delhi-Bound Flight Diverted to Rome Over Bomb Threat, Later Deemed Unreliable

New Delhi: A bomb threat that led to the diversion of American Airlines flight AA 292 from New York to Delhi has been declared “unreliable” by the airline. The flight, which made an emergency landing at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport under fighter jet escort on Sunday, remained grounded for further inspection as per Delhi airport protocols.

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, carrying 199 passengers and 15 crew members, was just two hours from Delhi when it suddenly turned back over Turkmenistan due to a “potential safety concern.” American Airlines confirmed that safety remains their top priority and apologized for the inconvenience caused to passengers.

Emergency Landing and Security Response

After receiving the bomb threat via email, Italian authorities scrambled two Eurofighter Typhoon jets to escort the aircraft safely to Rome. Upon landing, law enforcement agencies thoroughly inspected the plane. Passengers were taken to the terminal for security checks while officials examined the aircraft.

“The potential issue was found to be unreliable, but per Delhi airport protocols, the aircraft must be inspected before landing at DEL,” American Airlines stated.

The airline confirmed that the crew required mandatory rest before the flight could resume its journey, leading to an overnight stay in Rome.

High-Level Intervention and Investigations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was briefed on the situation, and Indian authorities insisted that the aircraft undergo a full security clearance before continuing to Delhi. While no explosives were found, officials remain cautious, given past security incidents.

The Italian Air Force confirmed the emergency response, stating, “Two Eurofighters were dispatched to identify and escort a commercial aircraft to Fiumicino Airport due to a reported security threat.”

Visuals on social media showed the aircraft being flanked by Italian fighter jets, adding to the dramatic nature of the incident.

Passengers Await Clearance

With heightened security measures in place, the passengers remained in Rome as authorities completed final inspections. American Airlines assured that arrangements were being made to resume the flight as soon as possible.

The incident underscores the importance of strict aviation security protocols, even when threats turn out to be false alarms.