Updated | Air Malta flight from Rome delayed due to threat, lands safely

An Air Malta flight from Rome was delayed as a result of additional security checks after the Italian police received a bomb threat, an airline spokesman said.

In an earlier statement the airline said passengers on flights KM612/613 and their luggage were being checked. The searches yielded no bombs and the aircraft was expected to leave Rome's Fiumicino airport at 1.45pm.

A spokesman said there were 152 passengers on the flight to Malta and another 142, who were expected to board from Malta International Airport on the return flight.

A source in the aviation industry said there were no particular high profile people on the Malta-bound flight.

Air Malta said that it gives utmost importance to the safety and well-being of its clients and staff and is sparing no effort to minimise the inconvenience to passengers due to circumstances beyond its control.

The flight landed safely at Malta International Airport at around 4:40pm.