An American Airlines flight traveling from New York’s JFK Airport to Delhi was forced to make an emergency landing in Rome on Sunday after a bomb threat was reported on board. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, carrying 199 passengers and 15 crew members, was two hours away from its destination when it was diverted over Turkmenistan due to a “possible security issue.”
Flight Diversion and Emergency Response
Upon receiving the threat, the Italian Air Force scrambled two Eurofighter Typhoon jets to escort the aircraft to Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Rome. The plane landed safely around 11:15 a.m. ET after nearly 15 hours in the air.
Passenger Neeraj Chopra, en route to visit family in India, recalled the tense moment when the captain announced the diversion. “I felt a little panic of, OK, what’s going on here?” he said.
After landing, passengers were transported to buses for additional security screenings. They had to wait over two hours before retrieving their checked luggage as authorities conducted thorough safety checks.
Airline and Security Response
American Airlines issued a statement thanking passengers for their patience and reaffirming their commitment to safety. “We are working closely with local authorities and will provide updates as the situation develops,” the airline said.
This incident comes just two weeks after another American Airlines flight faced a bomb threat linked to a suspicious Wi-Fi hotspot on a Texas-bound plane.
Authorities continue to investigate the nature of the bomb threat, and additional security measures are being taken to ensure passenger safety on future flights.
