American Airlines Flight Diverted to Rome Due to Bomb Threat Expected to Resume Journey to Delhi Tomorrow

New Delhi:

American Airlines is likely to operate a flight from Rome to Delhi on Tuesday to transport passengers stranded in the Italian capital. This comes after its flight from New York to Delhi was diverted on Sunday due to a suspected bomb threat.

Flight AA292 from New York to Delhi faced a security threat and was diverted to Leonardo Da Vinci Airport in Rome. Italian Air Force fighter jets escorted the aircraft on Sunday evening, and it landed safely.

According to the airport’s website, American Airlines flight AA9603 is scheduled to depart for Delhi at 12 pm local time on February 25.

Earlier, flight AA292 was supposed to depart for Delhi at 2 pm local time on Monday, but it was canceled, as per the website.

A source mentioned that the flight from Rome to Delhi would not operate on Monday.

Sources familiar with the situation revealed that a Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) was immediately formed at Delhi airport on Sunday (February 23) after the threat for flight AA292 was received.

The committee decided the aircraft should be inspected at the nearest airport, leading to its diversion to Rome for necessary checks, they added.

Further details could not be confirmed.

On Sunday, American Airlines stated that flight AA292 was diverted to Rome due to a “possible security concern.”

The airline also clarified that the potential issue was deemed non-credible, but as per Delhi airport protocol, an inspection was required before landing in Delhi.

Earlier on Monday, Leonardo Da Vinci Airport spokesperson Federica Pistola (Head of Landside Operations) said in a video message that passengers of the diverted flight with valid passports for entry into European territory have been transferred to hotels.

Passengers without visas or passports allowing entry into European territory have been accommodated in the airport lounges, she said in a message shared with PTI.

On Sunday, Italian news agency ANSA reported that the flight was diverted following a request from American Airlines for security checks related to a “suspected bomb threat.”

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