An American Airlines flight from JFK Airport to Delhi was forced to make an emergency landing in Rome on Sunday after a bomb threat was made on board.
The flight, which had 199 passengers and 15 crew members, had been just two hours away from its destination when it was rerouted over Turkmenistan due to a “possible security issue.”
Passenger Neeraj Chopra recalled the moment of uncertainty when the captain announced the diversion. “I felt a little panic, wondering what was going on,” he said. The Italian Air Force later confirmed that the threat was related to a possible bomb on board.
The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner was escorted by two Italian Eurofighter Typhoon jets and landed at Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport around 11:15 a.m. ET. Passengers were then transported to buses for additional security screenings and waited over two hours for their checked luggage.
American Airlines issued a statement thanking passengers for their understanding and emphasizing that safety and security are their top priorities. The airline is working closely with local authorities to resolve the situation.
This incident comes just two weeks after another American Airlines flight was delayed due to a bomb threat involving a Wi-Fi hotspot on a Texas-bound plane.
In situations like these, passengers have certain rights. According to the US Department of Transportation, passengers are entitled to a full and prompt refund, including taxes and fees, if their flight is canceled or significantly changed. They may also receive meal and accommodation vouchers if they experience significant delays.