Flight operations resume at Washington’s Ronald Reagan Airport after suspension over bomb threat

UPDATE: The ground stop at Washington DCA due to a “security incident” has been lifted. Flight operations are now resuming. https://t.co/djAfZqfDDo pic.twitter.com/TGfyaUpjkG

— AirNav Radar (@AirNavRadar) November 4, 2025

Earlier, all flights at Reagan National Airport were suspended following a reported bomb threat on an arriving United Airline flight. Passengers were removed from the plane, and the aircraft was moved away from the terminal while authorities investigated.

🚨LIVE: All flight operations at Reagan National Airport (DCA) are currently suspended due to a reported bomb threat involving an arriving aircraft, according to a source familiar with the situation. The aircraft has been moved to the east side of the airfield as a precaution.… https://t.co/ANSPWlqky4 pic.twitter.com/YtUOYYPS35

— AirNav Radar (@AirNavRadar) November 4, 2025

What FAA said

“The FAA is aware of a reported security issue on an aircraft at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Passengers have been removed, and the aircraft is away from the terminal while authorities investigate,” the FAA said in a statement.

What ATC told United Airlines pilots

Even though the airline and the FAA have not specified the nature of the threat, in an air traffic control recording posted on social media, the controller can be heard instructing the United pilot that they are moving the plane away from the airport due to an “unconfirmed bomb report” for the flight.

DCA GROUND CONTROL: "I'm sorry I have to do this you… we have an unconfirmed bomb report for your flight."

LISTEN to the ATC audio as a controller tells United 512 to taxi further away from the Reagan National Airport terminal. @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/8dFnIG3Png

— Joseph Olmo (@ReporterJoseph) November 4, 2025

Reagan Airport is located just 8 km away from the White House and the US Capitol, and the FAA imposes special security restrictions around the airspace. More than 160 flights have already been delayed at Reagan, according to FlightAware.