### American Airlines Flight Diverts to Rome Instead of Naples

In an unexpected turn of events, American Airlines flight AA780, originally en route from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Naples International Airport (NAP), was diverted to Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport (FCO) on June 2. This flight, operated by a Boeing 787-9 registered as N837AN, took off from Philadelphia at 19:42 local time, nearly 30 minutes behind its scheduled departure.

The diversion occurred around 9:08 local time when the aircraft was cruising at approximately 26,000 feet. Instead of entering a holding pattern, the 787-9 made a direct course to Rome, where it landed at 9:42. The aircraft did not stay long in Italy; it subsequently returned to the United States the next day, operating a regularly scheduled flight AA111 from Rome to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), landing at 14:50 local time on June 3.

American Airlines has been flying the Philadelphia to Naples route with a smaller Boeing 787-8 since the route's inception. However, the carrier recently opted to use the larger Boeing 787-9. Records from Flightradar24 indicate that the airline had exclusively utilized the 787-8 for this route since its seasonal service relaunch on May 5. Naples, classified as an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) code 4D airport, appears unable to accommodate larger 787-9 aircraft due to its Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (RFFS) category limitations.

The choice to switch from the 787-8 to the 787-9 might have triggered the diversion, highlighting the operational limitations at Naples International Airport. Despite the diversion, American Airlines' seasonal Philadelphia to Naples flights have performed impressively, with a reported average load factor of 89% between June and October 2024.

Nevertheless, passengers on the diverted flight likely faced significant inconvenience. Given American Airlines' status as a non-EU entity, European Union compensation rules, known as EU261, do not apply. Passengers had limited flight options from Rome to Naples that day, with only four ITA Airways departures available, three scheduled after 10:00.

This diversion underscores the complexities and operational challenges airlines face when adjusting aircraft on established routes, especially when airport facilities have specific limitations.