In a dramatic turn of events, an American Airlines flight bound for Delhi from JFK Airport was forced to divert to Rome on Sunday after a bomb threat was reported onboard.
The flight, carrying 199 passengers and 15 crew members, was just two hours away from its destination when it was rerouted over Turkmenistan, a Central Asian country.
The airline confirmed that the diversion was triggered by a “possible security issue,” though the full extent of the threat was not initially clear. Passenger Neeraj Chopra, en route to visit family in India, shared the unsettling moment when the captain calmly announced the diversion, leaving everyone onboard in suspense.
As the flight continued its journey, the situation escalated when the Italian Air Force confirmed that the threat involved a potential bomb on board. To ensure safety, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, already halfway through its 14-hour flight, was escorted by two Italian Eurofighter Typhoon jets as it made its way to Rome.
After nearly 15 grueling hours in the air, the plane touched down at Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport at approximately 11:15 a.m. ET, where passengers were immediately transported to buses for further security screenings.
However, the ordeal didn’t end there—many passengers waited for more than two hours to retrieve their checked luggage, as authorities conducted thorough checks.
In a statement following the incident, American Airlines expressed gratitude to passengers for their patience and understanding during the disruption. “Safety and security are our top priorities, and we thank our customers for their cooperation,” the airline said.
They reassured the public that they were working closely with local authorities to resolve the situation and would provide updates as it developed.
This unsettling episode comes just two weeks after another American Airlines flight was delayed for hours due to a bomb threat involving a Wi-Fi hotspot on a plane headed to Texas.
Both incidents underscore the growing concerns about in-flight security, leaving many to wonder what further measures will be taken to safeguard passengers in the future.
