WASHINGTON, D.C. – Flights were temporarily halted at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Tuesday after federal authorities responded to a reported bomb threat involving a United Airlines flight.
FAA Issues Ground Stop Amid Security Scare
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it halted all flights into and out of Reagan National Airport for a time due to the reported threat.
The incident involved a United Airlines flight traveling from Houston to the Washington-area airport, according to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who confirmed the news on X (formerly Twitter).
All other flights were paused while the affected aircraft was moved to an isolated area of the airport for inspection.
Passengers Safely Evacuated
The 89 passengers and six crew members aboard the Boeing 737 were safely disembarked and transported by bus to the terminal, United Airlines and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority said in a joint statement.
The FBI Washington Field Office’s National Capital Response Squad responded to the scene and later confirmed that no hazardous materials were found on board.
Law enforcement officials said they are continuing to investigate the threat.
Flights Resume After Brief Suspension
Airport operations resumed around 1:30 p.m. ET, according to Secretary Duffy, who thanked law enforcement for their swift and coordinated response.
Before flights resumed, the average delay time for departing aircraft was 51 minutes, with some flights delayed for more than two hours, according to FAA data.
Similar Incident in New York
Later Tuesday evening, passengers on a Delta Air Lines flight preparing for takeoff from LaGuardia Airport in New York were also evacuated following reports of a bomb threat.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey confirmed that its Police Department cleared the plane after a thorough investigation.
“The safety and security of our customers and employees comes before all else, and we apologize for the delay in their travels,” Delta said in a statement.
Broader Aviation Challenges
The latest security incidents come as the federal government shutdown continues into its second month, leaving many air traffic controllers working without pay.
Flight delays across the U.S. have been steadily increasing amid widespread staffing shortages.
