An American Airlines flight en route from JFK Airport to Delhi was forced to make an emergency diversion to Rome on Sunday following a bomb threat onboard.
The flight, carrying 199 passengers and 15 crew members, was just two hours away from its destination when it was rerouted while flying over Turkmenistan.
According to reports from the New York Post, the airline confirmed the diversion was due to a “possible security issue.” Passenger Neeraj Chopra, who was travelling to India to visit family, described the moment of uncertainty when the captain made the unexpected announcement.
“I felt a little panic of, OK, what’s going on here?” Chopra said.
The Italian Air Force later verified that the threat involved a possible bomb on board.
As a precaution, two Italian Eurofighter Typhoon jets escorted the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport, where it landed at approximately 11:15 a.m. ET after nearly 15 hours in the air.
Upon arrival, passengers were transported to buses for additional security screenings, enduring a two-hour wait for their checked luggage as authorities conducted thorough inspections.
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American Airlines issued a statement acknowledging the disruption and emphasizing their commitment to passenger safety.
“Safety and security are our top priorities, and we thank our customers for their understanding. We are working closely with local authorities and will provide updates as the situation develops,” the airline stated, as reported by the New York Post.
The incident follows a similar security scare just two weeks ago when an American Airlines flight faced a bomb threat due to a Wi-Fi hotspot name on a Texas-bound plane.
Authorities continue to investigate the latest threat to ensure the safety of future flights.