Washington’s Reagan National Airport has resumed normal operations following a temporary suspension triggered by a bomb threat investigation, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed on Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, all flights at the airport, located close to the heart of the US capital, were halted under a ground stop order issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA cited “security reasons” for the suspension, prompting heightened activity across the airport.
According to Secretary Duffy, the alert was connected to a United Airlines flight arriving from Houston. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Duffy explained: “The flight landed safely at DCA, passengers were evacuated, and law enforcement conducted a full search of the aircraft.” He added that authorities subsequently gave the airport “the all clear,” allowing regular operations to resume.
Footage broadcast by local media showed the United Airlines aircraft stationed on an auxiliary taxiway, surrounded by multiple police vehicles. Passengers from the flight were safely offloaded and transported by bus to the terminal, as confirmed by Reagan National Airport via X.
At present, authorities have not provided additional details regarding the source of the threat or indicated whether any arrests were made. Investigations are reportedly ongoing. The FAA and local law enforcement have stressed that the incident was handled in accordance with standard security protocols to ensure passenger safety.
The temporary closure led to flight delays and disruptions at one of the nation’s busiest airports, highlighting the ongoing importance of stringent security measures in air travel. Officials emphasised that, while such incidents are rare, the airport and relevant agencies are prepared to respond swiftly to any potential threats.
For clarity, the key details of the incident are summarised in the table below:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Airport | Reagan National Airport, Washington, D.C. |
| Date of Incident | Tuesday, 11 November 2025 |
| Cause of Suspension | Bomb threat investigation linked to incoming flight from Houston |
| Airline Involved | United Airlines |
| Flight Status | Landed safely; passengers evacuated |
| Security Response | Full search conducted by law enforcement |
| Airport Status | Operations resumed following all-clear |
| Passenger Handling | Offloaded and transported to terminal by bus |
| Investigations | Ongoing; further details not disclosed |
The incident underscores the vigilance of airport security teams and federal authorities, who prioritise passenger safety while maintaining operational continuity during potential threats.