Few travel nightmares compare to the chilling moment when a routine flight is suddenly disrupted by a bomb threat.

Passengers aboard American Airlines Flight AA292 experienced just that on Sunday when their journey from New York to Delhi took an unexpected and nerve-racking turn. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner was forced to make an emergency landing in Rome after a bomb threat was reported mid-flight.

Fighter Jets Scramble as Bomb Threat Forces Emergency Diversion

The aircraft was swiftly intercepted and escorted by two Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon jets as a precautionary measure, ensuring it reached Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in Rome safely.

Fighter jet escorts are a rare but necessary response in such high-stakes security incidents, highlighting the seriousness of the threat.

Upon landing, law enforcement and airport security teams immediately conducted a thorough inspection of the aircraft. American Airlines later confirmed that the flight was cleared to continue to Delhi after all necessary security checks were completed.

Passengers Face Intense Security Screening

While relieved to have landed safely, passengers were in for a long wait. As part of Delhi Airport’s security protocol, all travelers were subjected to additional screenings. Each passenger and their personal belongings were meticulously checked, adding to the delays. One traveler, identified as Bacon, described the process as “slightly heightened” and time-consuming.

“It was definitely the longest flight to Europe I’ve ever taken,” Bacon remarked, as he and his fellow passengers waited over two hours for their checked baggage, which was also undergoing security checks.

American Airlines Reassures Passenger Safety

Despite the chaos, airport operations in Rome remained unaffected, and authorities confirmed that the bomb threat had not led to any disruptions beyond the affected flight. American Airlines issued an official statement, emphasizing that passenger safety remains the airline’s top priority.

“The safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority. We are cooperating fully with authorities and will provide updates as more information becomes available.”