An American Airlines flight from New York to New Delhi was unexpectedly diverted to Rome on Sunday following an alleged bomb scare, according to an Italian airport spokesperson. The flight, carrying 199 passengers and crew members, was escorted by two Italian fighter jets before landing safely at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO).

Security Alert on Board Triggers Emergency Landing

The US-based airline did not provide specific details about the potential security threat, referring to it as a “possible security concern.” Upon arrival, law enforcement authorities thoroughly inspected the aircraft before declaring it safe to continue its journey.

“The flight landed safely at Rome’s FCO airport, where law enforcement officials inspected and cleared the aircraft for re-departure,” American Airlines confirmed in a statement.

Passenger Accounts: Fear and Uncertainty Mid-Flight

Mahesh Kumar, an IT consultant traveling on the flight, shared that about three hours before landing, the pilot announced the unscheduled diversion due to security reasons.

“Everyone was afraid and remained silent, following the crew’s instructions,” Kumar, a 55-year-old Texas resident, told reporters. “We were asked to remain seated and avoid movement while the fighter jets were escorting us.”

Upon landing, Italian police escorted passengers through a security screening process at the airport.

Flight Tracking and Route Deviation

According to FlightAware, a flight tracking platform, the aircraft took off from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport at approximately 8:11 PM (local time) on Saturday (01:11 GMT Sunday). The flight path showed a sharp turn over the Caspian Sea, signaling the emergency diversion.

An American Airlines representative mentioned that the diversion was necessary due to Indian aviation security protocols, requiring an inspection before the flight could land in New Delhi.

No Credible Threat Found

After an extensive inspection, officials determined that the suspected security issue was not credible. However, per regulations at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in India, the aircraft had to undergo a full security check before proceeding.

“The flight will remain in Rome overnight for the crew to receive the necessary rest before continuing to Delhi as soon as possible on Monday,” the American Airlines official stated anonymously.

Despite the diversion, Rome airport operations remained unaffected, according to an Italian airport representative.

FAA Confirms Safe Landing

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) later verified that the aircraft had landed safely following the crew’s report of a security issue. The FAA continues to monitor aviation security incidents globally.

American Airlines: A Global Aviation Leader

American Airlines, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is among the largest airlines in the United States. It operates international flights to more than 60 countries, ensuring the highest standards of safety and security for passengers.

For more details on aviation security protocols and flight tracking, visit FlightAware.

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