An American Airlines flight traveling from New York to New Delhi was diverted to Rome Sunday for “security reasons,” according to a officials from the airline.
In a statement, American Airlines said flight AA292 was traveling from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Indira Gandhi International Airport before it diverted to Rome “due to a possible security issue,” but did not elaborate on what it was.
“Safety and security are our highest priorities, and we are working closely with law enforcement agencies,” the airline said in the statement.
Flight AA292 requested a flight diversion to Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport at around 2 p.m. local time, said Roberto Rao, a spokesperson for the airport.
“We immediately agreed and organized a safe landing,” Rao told NBC News. “We don’t know what the security concern was, but my opinion is that it was serious enough to divert the plane, but not urgent, because we received the alert when the plane was over the Caspian sea, a three hours flight from Rome.”
The American Airlines plane was escorted by two Italian air force fighter jets when it arrived in Italian airspace, and landed safely in Rome, according to Rao. The passengers got off of the plane through staircases, and the plane and their baggage were checked.
There were 199 passengers onboard the flight, The Associated Press reported.
American Airlines said the plane was met by local law enforcement upon its arrival to Rome and that it will be inspected before continuing on to New Delhi.
“If all the checks are OK, the plane will take off for its final destination tomorrow,” Rao said. “The passengers will spend the night in Rome.”
Activity at the Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport was not disrupted as a result of the diversion, per Rao.
The Federal Aviation Administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Jay Blackman contributed.
