An American Airlines flight traveling from New York to Delhi made a sudden diversion midair and was escorted to Rome by fighter jets due to a security issue on board.
On February 23, 2024, American Airlines flight 292, operated by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, took off from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York at 20:42 local time, bound for Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in New Delhi, India.
While overflying the Caspian Sea, the crew requested an emergency diversion because of a security issue. Flightradar24 data indicates that the aircraft made a sudden 180-degree turn back to Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO). American Airlines did not specify the nature of the threat, but the Italian Air Force confirmed it was due to a potential bomb on the aircraft.
The Italian Air Force issued a statement saying that two Eurofighter Typhoon jets were scrambled from Grosseto Airport (GRS), home of the 4th Wing (4° Stormo), to identify and escort the American Airlines aircraft. This order was given shortly after 16:00 local time by NATO’s Combined Air Operation Centre in Torrejon, Spain.
The Italian Air Force reported that the two Eurofighters reached the aircraft and safely escorted it to Rome’s Fiumicino airport, where it landed around 17:30 local time without any issues.
Video footage of the escort circulated on social media, showing the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner being followed by two Italian Eurofighter Typhoon jets.
🚨 INSIDE THE ESCORT MISSION: This stunning footage from an Italian Air Force Eurofighter shows American Airlines #AA292 intercepted mid-air and escorted to Rome-Fiumicino after a bomb threat forced an emergency diversion.
🎥 Must-see footage ⬇️ #AA292 #Breaking NewYork-Delhi pic.twitter.com/rTTdQiLIAY
— Antony Ochieng,KE✈️ (@Turbinetraveler) February 23, 2025
After landing, all 199 passengers exited the aircraft using staircases while security teams carried out detailed inspections of the baggage. As reported by local media sources, the checks on the aircraft and its cargo returned negative. Operations at the airport were not disrupted.
As the investigation is ongoing, American Airlines has issued a statement, reassuring passengers that it is “working closely with local authorities” to evaluate the situation.
Flights to and from India have seen an increase in bomb threats in recent months, resulting in several emergency landings. For example, in October 2024, an Air India flight from Mumbai to New York had to divert to Delhi due to a similar threat.
