Fighter jets intercepted and escorted an American Airlines flight and abruptly diverted the plane to Rome following a reported security threat.
The passenger jet was en route from New York to India at the time.
The airline confirmed the incident to the Daily Caller.
American Airlines stated that Flight 292 safely landed at Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) early Sunday after departing from John F. Kennedy International Airport.
According to an official briefed on the matter, the disruption was triggered by a bomb threat received via email.
Flight Radar 24 also reported on X that the aircraft had been rerouted due to the alarming message.
While American Airlines ultimately deemed the threat “non-credible,” aviation safety protocols required a full inspection before the plane could continue to its destination in Delhi.
“The flight will stay in FCO overnight to allow for required crew rest before continuing to DEL as soon as possible tomorrow,” American Airlines stated.
Footage shared by ABC News on X showed the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner flanked by two fighter jets, adding to the drama of the midair incident.
#VIDEO:
NEW: An American Airlines flight (Boeing 787-9 ) from JFK Airport was escorted by Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon warplanes after a bomb threat.
The flight en route to India, made a sudden U-turn and was diverted to Rome, where it landed under fighter jet escort. pic.twitter.com/hMJ31k9SFY— Radar Insider (@RadarInsider) February 23, 2025
Data from Flight Radar 24 indicated the plane took off from JFK at approximately 8:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, made it as far as Turkmenistan, and then turned back, landing in Rome shortly after 11:00 a.m. EST on Sunday.
American Airlines flight #AA292 from New York to Delhi made a U-turn over the Caspian Sea and diverted all the way to Rome, following a bomb threat for the flight.
Playback https://t.co/jjThOuTjer pic.twitter.com/vOsz1K23jn
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) February 23, 2025
Passengers were reportedly transported by bus to the terminal for additional security screening.
Authorities on the ground swiftly inspected the aircraft, giving it clearance for departure once protocols were met.
This unsettling episode follows a series of recent aviation mishaps that have raised serious safety concerns.
Just last week, a Delta Air Lines jet traveling from Minneapolis crash-landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport on February 21, flipping onto its back upon impact.
Miraculously, all passengers survived, though some suffered injuries.
A far more tragic event unfolded on January 29, when an American Airlines flight collided midair with a military helicopter near Washington Reagan National Airport.
The incident resulted in no survivors, marking yet another black mark on the industry’s recent track record.
Air travel has seen an uptick in concerning incidents, with security threats, mechanical failures, and collisions making headlines.
While airlines assure the public that safety remains a priority, these back-to-back emergencies serve as a stark reminder of the risks involved.
For American Airlines Flight 292, however, the Rome detour ended without disaster—this time.
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