The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed a ground stop at Washington D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Tuesday following an alleged bomb threat linked to a United Airlines flight. The restriction, initiated at 11:18 a.m., remained in effect until 1:30 p.m., disrupting operations as emergency personnel gathered near the affected aircraft.

Emergency vehicles were observed near a United flight on the tarmac, while other planes circled the airport or diverted to alternative locations. Travelers reported concerns over a bomb threat involving a flight that had arrived from Houston, prompting swift responses from authorities. The FAA cited “security” as the reason for the ground stop, echoing similar measures taken on October 29 when military activities caused delays.

While Reagan Airport (DCA) faced significant disruptions, nearby facilities such as Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI) maintained normal schedules. Transportation reporter Adam Tuss noted the presence of police and officials near the grounded United flight, emphasizing the heightened security posture at the site.

The incident affected over 800 flights, with passengers stranded on the runway describing a tense atmosphere as investigators worked to assess the threat. No further details about the alleged bomb or the specific aircraft involved were immediately disclosed.