An American Airlines flight, Flight 292, travelling from New York to New Delhi, was diverted to Rome on Sunday due to a security issue that was later determined to be “non-credible.” Upon landing at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, the aircraft was inspected by law enforcement and subsequently cleared to continue its journey.
The exact nature of the security concern was not specified, but protocols dictated an inspection prior to landing in New Delhi. The flight was scheduled to remain in Rome overnight to allow for crew rest before departing for Delhi the following day.
Witnesses reported seeing fighter jets escorting the plane as it approached the airport, which added to the urgency surrounding the situation. Fire trucks were also stationed on the runway upon landing. Neeraj Chopra, a passenger en route from Detroit to visit family, shared that the captain informed the passengers about the change in security status approximately three hours before they were due to arrive in Delhi.
Chopra described the atmosphere on the flight as initially calm; however, he experienced anxiety when the escorting jets were mentioned. “It felt a little panic of, okay, what’s going on here?” he said, expressing concern over the potential seriousness of the situation.
Despite the unusual circumstances, Rome’s airport operations remained unaffected, with normal activities continuing on the ground. Chopra’s flight has been rescheduled for departure on Monday, reflecting the chaotic nature of the events over the past day.