An American Airlines flight from New York’s JFK Airport to New Delhi was forced to make an emergency diversion to Rome on Sunday after a bomb threat was received mid-flight.
Flight 292, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, was carrying 199 passengers and 15 crew members when the threat was received via email. The plane had been in the air for about nine hours and was flying near Turkmenistan when it abruptly reversed course, the airline confirmed. Italian Air Force fighter jets escorted the aircraft as it landed at Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport.
View from Italian Air Force fighter jet escorting American Airlines flight following bomb threat.
The plane was traveling from New York to New Delhi and was diverted to Rome, Italy Sunday due to a bomb threat, which was ultimately deemed unfounded.
“Upon landing safely at… pic.twitter.com/0tHXvjZxAO
— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) February 24, 2025
🎥 WATCH: American Airlines #AA292 lands safely at Rome-Fiumicino after a mid-air bomb threat forced an emergency diversion.
Italian Air Force Eurofighters can be seen escorting the Boeing 787-9 (N840AN) as it touches down. pic.twitter.com/3y90Ncmpxv
— Antony Ochieng,KE✈️ (@Turbinetraveler) February 23, 2025
Upon landing in Rome, security personnel conducted thorough inspections of the aircraft. Italian authorities later determined the threat to be non-credible.
However, passengers were asked to stay at the airport for additional screening. American Airlines provided overnight accommodations and decided to resume the flight to New Delhi the following day.
“The flight will stay in Rome overnight to allow for required crew rest before continuing to Delhi as soon as possible tomorrow,” the airline said.
American Airlines thanked the passengers for their patience and emphasized that “safety and security are our top priorities.”
The incident is the latest in a series of security scares affecting American Airlines. Earlier this month, a flight from Austin to Charlotte was delayed for several hours after a passenger’s Wi-Fi hotspot was named “I have a bomb,” prompting a security response.
Additionally, in January, an American Eagle flight collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C., resulting in the deaths of all passengers and crew.
