On February 23rd, American Airlines flight 292 was en route from New York (JFK | KJFK) to Delhi (DEL | VIDP) when the crew was informed of a possible security issue, and the aircraft was diverted to Rome (FCO | LIRF). That “possible security issue” was a bomb threat.
What happened?
The Boeing 787-9 departed JFK on the 22nd at around 8:34pm. They were more than 10 hours into the flight and routing over the Caspian Sea when the crew was informed that a bomb threat had been received by email. The aircraft turned back and diverted to Rome, landing safely after another four hours in the air.
The threat was considered non-credible. Without going into details of what equates to a credible or non-credible bomb threat (in case someone with ill intent is reading this), we’ll just say that airlines and security forces have ways to determine whether it is credible or not.
Why Rome?
This comes down to the threat level. If it had been deemed credible, then the response is a lot different. The highest priority is to get the aircraft back on the ground as soon as possible and evacuate.
The Boeing 787 doesn’t actually have an official ‘Bomb on board’ checklist. Instead, operators have their own procedures for handling such events. But with non-credible threats, diverting is not always necessary, again depending on the level of risk it is assessed to represent. The reason this flight did divert came down to procedures at Delhi Airport, and in India generally, requiring the aircraft and passengers to be security searched prior to continuing to India.
Why they headed to Rome specifically is not entirely easy to answer without knowledge of internal deliberations—it likely comes down to where the airline preferred the flight to go, due to facilities and support. Rome is an American Airlines destination, and has links to India, making it a good commercial option for the airline and their passengers. Additionally, which airport could accept them was likely a factor as well since it would need a level of security facilities to accommodate the checks and passenger monitoring which were required.
Since the threat was deemed not credible, the crew would also look to select an airport which did not present any additional challenges or risks. From the Caspian Sea region and onward to India, the flight passes over Afghanistan and Pakistan, neither of which would provide safe or secure diversion options to handle this.
Once on the ground, passengers and baggage were inspected, with passengers reporting they seemed to undergo “slightly heightened” checks. The aircraft was inspected and was cleared to depart.
Why scramble fighters?
This is common practice, even with non-credible threats. The Italian Air Force sent two Eurofighter Typhoon (F-2000A) jets. These were scrambled from Grosseto Air Base. The ‘A Scramble’ was sent through the Combined Air Operations Centre which is based in Torrejón, Spain. It is a NATO control center that monitors that airspace region.
The fighters are required to escort the aircraft to the landing airport, ensuring it does not deviate from the planned route.
How do pilots respond to an intercept?
The crew of AA292 would be informed of an escort, however, the fighters try to remain out of sight to prevent passenger panic onboard. If radio contact can be established, this is how they would be alerted to the escort. In the event there is no radio contact, interception signals are used – these involve a series of maneuvers by the escort aircraft, and response maneuvers by the one being intercepted.
Rocking the wings informs the crew they are being intercepted, and they are required to respond by rocking wings to confirm they understand and will comply. When clearing the intercepted aircraft to proceed, the fighter will perform an abrupt break away and a climbing turn of 90 degrees, crossing the line of flight. At night, lights are flashed as well.
There are various other signals as well:
- To inform them to land at a specific aerodrome: Circling overhead, lowering landing gear and overflying runway in direction of landing
- If the airport is inadequate: The interception aircraft will raise landing gear and continue to circle
- If unable to comply with any directions: Continuous flashing on and off of all available lights
- If in distress: Flashing of all lights in an irregular pattern.
The fighters looked to be very close to the 787 – this is standard though. It is partly to keep the fighters out of sight, and also to enable them to maintain a close watch on the aircraft. In the event of an onboard explosion, any fragments would initially continue moving in the same direction and with the same velocity as the aircraft had had, carrying most away from the fighter. They would have adequate time to respond and take evasive action away from it.
The Eurofighter is a staple in many European Air Forces, including the UK, Germany, France and Spain, and is commonly used when escorts are required. Escorts aren’t just for bomb threats—hijackings, loss of comms (which are taken as a potential hijacking threat), and even disruptive passengers can result in military escorts.
In February 2024, Scandinavian Airlines flight SK4609 heading from Oslo to Manchester was intercepted and escorted following a temporary loss of comms.
Multiple bomb hoaxes
Indian airlines received multiple bomb hoaxes throughout 2024. One week alone saw 90 threats against airlines, and there were 41 threats in one day in June against airports. We posted more on this here.
British Airways was delayed at Bermuda airport in May 2024 when bomb threats against specific flights were received. Subsequent threats were sent regarding the airport, resulting in its evacuation. They all turned out to be hoaxes.
Bottom line
Whether or not threats are deemed credible, they are taken seriously by authorities and airlines—as evidenced by AA292’s diversion to Rome.
![An example full flight summary response from the Flightradar24 API: { "data": [ { "fr24_id": "0987654321", "flight": "SK1415", "callsign": "SAS1415", "operated_as": "SAS", "painted_as": "SAS", "type": "A20N", "reg": "SE-DOY", "orig_icao": "ESSA", "orig_iata": "ARN", "datetime_takeoff": "2023-01-27T05:15:22", "runway_takeoff": "12R", "dest_icao": "EKCH", "dest_iata": "CPH", "dest_icao_actual": "EPWA", "dest_iata_actual": "WAW", "datetime_landed": "2023-01-27T06:15:10", "runway_landed": "27L", "flight_time": 3600, "actual_distance": 1007.74, "circle_distance": 6245, "category": "Passenger", "hex": "4A91F9", "first_seen": "2023-01-27T05:06:22", "last_seen": "2023-01-27T06:18:10", "flight_ended": "true" } ] }](https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Flight-summary-API-cover-768x378.jpg)
14 Responses
France does not use the Eurofighter Typhoon
it was italy that sent the eurofighters
Eurofighter? Surely Typhoon? France operating Typhoon?, not unless they stole it and haven’t given it back.
Still love the site and the news updates.
You are right, but as long as Eurofighter has got only 1 product – the type named Typhoon – it is synonymous.
As the type-name Typhoon was used for the WWII-Hawker fighter-bomber Typhoon it would be fair to call it the Typhoon II likewise the Lightning II and Thunderbolt II but I think that it was not considered because it does not fit to the operational profile (interceptor vs. ground attack-aircraft).
France does not use the Eurofighter !!
Trank you very much for all the interesting Information I get from Flightradar24. Keep on doing your good work!
That was interesting and peace of mind to know there are international procedures and protocols between commercial and military pilots to communicate beyond radio
I love these articles for real… I am gonna be a pilot too one day!
That’s cause they were from Italy
well you people dont understand it isnt the french air force it is the italian air force who has euro fighter
You guys all need to get out more……..
France only uses Dassault’s Rafale or Mirage 2000. No Eurofighter in French air forces.
“The Italian Air Force sent two Eurofighter Typhoon (F-2000A) jets. These were scrambled from Grosseto Air Base.” Pay attention, people.
What did they tell the passengers?