American Airlines Unites Hainan Airlines, Delta, EasyJet, and Wizz Air – Global Giants Face Explosive Emergency Landings at Italy’s Fiumicino Airport: You Won’t Believe These New Hidden Causes

Published on December 26, 2025

Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO) is Italy’s busiest airport and a major gateway between Europe, the Americas and Asia. Despite handling more than 40 million passengers a year, the airport sees relatively few emergency landings. When incidents do occur, they often result from weather phenomena, mechanical issues or security alerts rather than systemic shortcomings. Between January 2022 and December 2025 there were no major crash landings at Fiumicino; however several flights diverted there as a precaution or because of in‑flight emergencies. These events demonstrate the effectiveness of Italian aviation authorities, airport emergency services and airline crews in responding to unexpected situations. Below is a chronological overview of emergency landings at Fiumicino during this period.

Delta Air Lines flight DL 185 – severe hail and precautionary diversion (24 July 2023)

The first notable emergency landing during the period occurred on 24 July 2023. Delta Air Lines flight DL 185, a Boeing 767‑300ER (registration N189DN) operating from Milan Malpensa to New York‑JFK, encountered severe hail soon after take‑off from Malpensa. According to the final report of Italy’s National Agency for Flight Safety (ANSV), the aircraft was climbing through its standard instrument departure when it entered a hailstorm at 10:58 UTC[1]. The hailstones caused extensive damage to the aircraft’s radome, nose cone and cockpit windshields[1]. Recognising the risk of compromised instruments, the crew declared an emergency and chose to divert to Rome rather than return to Malpensa because weather forecasts suggested continuing storm activity on the Milan approach. After assessing the damage and communicating with air traffic control, the crew descended toward Fiumicino and landed at 11:55 UTC[1]. The ANSV report notes that the landing was uneventful and that all passengers disembarked safely[1]. Delta’s maintenance teams later confirmed that the radome and windshield would need replacement before the aircraft could resume service. This incident illustrates how adverse weather and hail can cause significant structural damage, and how swift decision‑making by flight crews and coordination with Italian air traffic controllers can mitigate risk. The resulting ANSV investigation emphasised the importance of accurate storm tracking and recommended improvements in weather radar interpretation to avoid hail encounters.

easyJet flight U2‑8210 – turbulence injuries and ANSV investigation (19 August 2024)

On 19 August 2024 another unscheduled landing underscored the unpredictability of atmospheric conditions. easyJet flight U2‑8210 was an Airbus A320‑214 flying from Corfu (Greece) to London Gatwick with 181 passengers and six crew members. Shortly after entering Italian airspace, the aircraft encountered severe turbulence at an altitude of about 28 000 ft at 13:01 local time[2]. Two flight attendants preparing the cabin service were thrown against the cabin walls, resulting in a broken leg and a severely sprained ankle[3]. Italy’s National Agency for Flight Safety (ANSV) immediately opened a safety investigation to determine whether the turbulence was forecast and whether the flight’s weather radar detected it[4]. According to the agency, the easyJet pilots declared an emergency, informed passengers and received vectors from air traffic controllers to divert to Rome. The aircraft landed safely at Fiumicino at 13:48 local time[5], where ambulances met the flight and transported the injured crew members to hospital. easyJet said that its pilots are trained to manage turbulence and that the safety and well‑being of customers and crew is its top priority[6]. The other passengers continued their journey on a replacement aircraft later that day[7]. The ANSV investigation focused on whether the turbulence had been correctly forecast and on crew compliance with procedures for unexpected turbulence. Although the event caused only minor injuries, it highlights the need for continuous monitoring of weather data and adherence to seat‑belt rules to reduce the risk of injuries during severe turbulence.

Hainan Airlines flight HU 7990 – engine fire after bird strike (10 November 2024)

The most dramatic emergency landing of this period occurred on 10 November 2024, when a Hainan Airlines Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliner operating flight HU 7990 from Rome to Shenzhen suffered an engine fire. Reuters reported that the aircraft’s right engine caught fire shortly after take‑off from Fiumicino at 9:55 a.m. local time[8]. The Italian Coast Guard later said the engine likely ingested a bird during the initial climb, causing a fire and prompting automatic fire‑extinguishing procedures[9]. The aircraft, carrying 249 passengers and 16 crew members, immediately dumped fuel over the Tyrrhenian Sea to reduce weight and risk[10]. Under guidance from Italian air traffic control, the pilots returned to Fiumicino and landed safely after approximately one hour[10]. Airport officials said there were no delays to air traffic because emergency services managed the situation efficiently[11]. Emergency vehicles surrounded the aircraft upon landing but there were no injuries. Hainan Airlines arranged for a replacement aircraft to transport the passengers to China later the same day. The incident underscores the ongoing hazard posed by bird strikes, particularly at airports surrounded by wetlands. Following the event, Italian authorities reminded airlines to follow bird‑control procedures and emphasised the need for early detection systems to prevent wildlife strikes. This case also demonstrates how fuel dumping and return procedures can be executed safely when crews and controllers coordinate effectively.

American Airlines flight AA 292 – security concern and precautionary landing (23 February 2025)

On 23 February 2025 an American Airlines flight from New York to New Delhi was unexpectedly diverted to Rome due to a possible security threat. American Airlines flight AA 292, a Boeing 787‑9 carrying roughly 200 passengers, departed John F. Kennedy International Airport but was instructed to land at Fiumicino after the airline received a report of a potential security issue. According to a statement cited by Reuters, the airline said the flight diverted due to a security concern later determined to be non‑credible[12]. The aircraft landed safely at Fiumicino where Italian law enforcement boarded and inspected and cleared the aircraft[13]. The passengers were accommodated overnight in Rome because the crew required mandatory rest before resuming the long‑haul journey, and the flight was rescheduled to depart for Delhi the following day[13]. American Airlines emphasised that the diversion was made out of an abundance of caution and that safety is its highest priority[12]. Although the alert was ultimately false, the incident illustrates the strict security protocols airlines and airports follow when threats are reported. It also demonstrates Fiumicino’s readiness to handle unscheduled arrivals that involve international law enforcement coordination.

Observations and lessons

From 2023 to late 2025 only a handful of flights made emergency landings at Fiumicino, and all ended without casualties. Weather‑related events were prominent. In the Delta Air Lines case, hail caused critical structural damage; the event prompted recommendations for better hail‑avoidance practices. The easyJet turbulence incident showed that even routine flights can encounter unexpected severe turbulence; timely diversion and proper crew training prevented greater injury. Wildlife hazards also proved a risk: the Hainan Airlines engine fire highlighted how bird strikes can incapacitate modern engines. Authorities responded by stressing the need for robust bird‑control measures around airports. Finally, the American Airlines security diversion demonstrated that, while rare, security threats necessitate immediate action even when they prove unfounded. These incidents underscore the competence of Fiumicino’s emergency services and the professionalism of flight crews in handling diverse emergencies.

Through these events, Fiumicino Airport reaffirmed its capability to serve as a safe diversionary hub for flights over southern Europe. Rapid coordination between pilots, air traffic controllers, emergency responders and investigators ensured that each aircraft landed safely and that passengers received necessary care. The ANSV’s role in investigating technical and weather‑related incidents helped disseminate lessons learned to airlines operating in Italian airspace. Although there were no significant emergency landings in 2022, the period from mid‑2023 through 2025 shows that Rome’s main airport remains at the forefront of aviation safety, ready to manage unforeseen crises while maintaining regular operations.

Reference list

1. ANSV. Final report N189DN – Accident to Boeing 767‑300ER (July 24 2023) – Italian National Agency for Flight Safety. Link.
2. AeroTime. Italian authorities to examine easyJet turbulence incident – summarising ANSV findings and easyJet statements. Link.
3. Reuters. Hainan Airlines Boeing 787 turns back to Rome after engine fire – quoting Italian airport officials and the Coast Guard. Link.
4. Reuters. American Airlines says its flight diverted to Rome after security concern – quoting American Airlines statements and Italian law enforcement. Link.