An American Airlines flight from New York City to New Delhi landed safely at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci International Airport on Sunday afternoon after being diverted due to a security concern. The incident, which took place as the flight cruised over the Caspian Sea, raised alarms among passengers; the security concern was later deemed "non-credible" by the airline.
Flight AA292 had departed from John F. Kennedy International Airport and had approximately 199 passengers and 15 crew members onboard. According to the airline, it was necessary for the flight to turn around about three hours before its expected landing time at Delhi. The captain notified passengers of the situation, which prompted initial anxiety among them.
Neeraj Chopra, one of the passengers, recounted his experience, stating, "When the captain mentioned we would be turning around because of a change in security status, the mood on the plane was calm initially. But as we were told fighter jets would escort us to Rome, I started to feel anxious. I thought, 'What’s going on here?'"
The flight was escorted by Italian military fighter jets as it approached Rome’s Fiumicino Airport, according to both the airline and airport officials. Common protocol during such incidents entails the swift mobilization of military forces to secure the airspace. On landing, the aircraft was met with fire trucks waiting on the runway—a standard precaution during emergency landings.
Following the landing, American Airlines confirmed to the Associated Press, "The flight landed safely at FCO, and law enforcement inspected and cleared the aircraft to re-depart." The company underscored their commitment to safety and security as their utmost priorities, expressing apologies to the passengers for the disruption.
While the exact reason behind the security concern remained unclear at the time, the airline reported compliance with required protocols. Passengers were eventually taken to the terminal after being transported via bus from the airplane. There, they underwent additional security screenings. Jonathan Bacon, another passenger on the flight, mentioned how tedious the process was: "It was definitely the longest flight to Europe I’ve ever taken."
Despite the incident causing significant disruption and unrest, the airport continued to operate normally. Officials reiterated their protocols for handling such security threats efficiently to alleviate public concern. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also confirmed the aircraft landed safely after the situation was reported by the crew.
According to the airline's statement, the flight would remain overnight in Rome to allow the crew to rest before resuming their voyage to New Delhi as soon as possible the following day. This delay was necessary to adhere to regulations pertaining to crew fatigue and operational safety. "Safety and security are our top priorities and we thank our customers for their patience and cooperation during this unforeseen event," the airline stated following the incident.
The diversions and heightened safety measures reflect the airline industry's growing commitment to security amid global concerns. Incidents such as these, though disruptive, serve as reminders of the protocols and procedures put in place to safeguard both passengers and aircraft.