An Alaska Airlines flight bound for Seattle was forced to return to Rome on Sunday after the crew declared an emergency due to a mechanical issue detected shortly after takeoff. Flight AS181, operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, turned back over the Atlantic and landed safely at Rome Fiumicino Airport after the crew requested priority handling.
The airline said the emergency declaration was made to ensure the aircraft received priority for landing. Emergency crews were on standby when the plane touched down, but no injuries were reported among the passengers or crew.
According to Alaska Airlines, the aircraft experienced engine vibration after departure, prompting the crew to follow standard safety procedures and discontinue the transatlantic flight. The plane has since been taken out of service for inspection while maintenance teams investigate the cause of the issue.
The airline said it is arranging a replacement aircraft to transport passengers to Seattle and apologized for the disruption. The incident comes just months after Alaska Airlines launched its seasonal nonstop service between Rome and Seattle, marking the carrier’s first direct route to Italy.
