An American Airlines flight from New York to New Delhi encountered a significant disruption when it was diverted to Rome due to a security concern. The flight, AA 292, made a safe landing at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport on Sunday afternoon. Although the security threat was later deemed "non-credible" by the airline, the incident prompted an extensive security response.
Flight passenger Jonathan Bacon, a 22-year-old from Dayton, Ohio, recounted the unexpected diversion. He noted the plane's abrupt change in direction away from New Delhi. The flight captain announced over the intercom that the aircraft was making a "diversion due to a security issue." This announcement left passengers on edge as they prepared for the unexpected landing in Rome.
Upon arrival, passengers were swiftly transported by bus to the terminal for additional security screenings. Both passengers and their belongings underwent thorough checks, described as "slightly heightened" by those involved. The process was time-consuming and added to the already tense situation. To complicate matters, passengers experienced limited internet connectivity throughout much of the flight, further adding to their anxiety.
The flight crew promptly reported the security threat to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which confirmed the report. NBC reported that a bomb threat, sent via email, was at the center of the security scare. Fighter jets escorted the aircraft to ensure its safe passage to Rome. Upon landing, fire trucks were visible on one side of the plane, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
In response to the reported threat, law enforcement conducted a thorough inspection of the aircraft at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport. The plane was subsequently cleared to re-depart after ensuring there was no credible threat present.
For many passengers, this experience was unsettling. Neeraj Chopra, another passenger, remarked on the situation, saying:
“There’s got to be like something bigger going on here.” – Neeraj Chopra
Jonathan Bacon reflected on the extended travel time and remarked:
“It was definitely the longest flight to Europe I’ve ever taken,” – Jonathan Bacon