ROME (Diya TV) — An American Airlines flight from New York to New Delhi was redirected to Rome Sunday after the crew received a bomb threat, which was later found to be non-credible, causing precautionary action.
Flight 292, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner that had 199 passengers and 15 crew, left John F. Kennedy International Airport on Saturday night. Around 10 hours into the journey, when over the Caspian Sea near Turkmenistan, the crew got word of a possible security risk. To respond, the plane did a U-turn and began flying toward Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci International Airport.
The Italian Air Force sent two Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft to escort the plane safely to the airport, where it landed safely. Law enforcement agencies, upon arrival, thoroughly inspected the aircraft and screened all passengers. The bomb threat, which was received through an email, was later found to be false.
Travelers, mostly Indian citizens, were given shelter in airport lounges for the night, as several did not have Italian entry visas. American Airlines booked passengers on different flights departing from Rome.
The airline placed a strong focus on its safety and announced, “We apologize for the inconvenience and thank our customers for their understanding. The safety and security of our customers and crew members are our top priority. The aircraft has been cleared to return to the airline’s schedule after undergoing required inspections and crew rest.
This incident follows a recent security scare involving an American Airlines flight from Austin, Texas, to Charlotte, North Carolina, which was delayed after a passenger’s Wi-Fi hotspot name included the word “bomb.”
Authorities continue to investigate the source of the email threat, aiming to prevent similar disruptions in the future.
