A United Airlines flight departing from Newark Liberty International Airport underwent a security sweep on Wednesday after a bullet was discovered onboard, according to the airline. Flight 1511, bound for Miami International Airport, was delayed as a result of the incident.
United Airlines confirmed the discovery to PEOPLE magazine, but provided no further details regarding where the bullet was found or the circumstances surrounding its presence on the aircraft. The airline did not disclose whether the flight ultimately departed or was cancelled.
The incident occurs as United Airlines significantly reduces its flight schedule at Newark, citing ongoing issues with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The airline will cancel 35 daily round-trip flights from the airport, a decision announced by CEO Scott Kirby in a letter to customers. Kirby attributed the cuts to “long-simmering FAA challenges” that have led to cancellations, delays, and stranded passengers.
Kirby stated that more than 20% of Newark air traffic controllers had walked off the job, exacerbating the problems. The FAA, however, has blamed runway construction and staffing issues for the disruptions. The flight reductions are set to begin this weekend.
This move represents an escalation of Kirby’s criticism of the FAA’s handling of operations at Newark, a major hub for United’s international and domestic flights. Aging air-traffic equipment and staffing shortages have caused frequent disruptions in recent years, with delays often rippling across the airline’s network. Kirby has called on the US Transportation Department to impose stricter slot restrictions at the airport, which would further limit the number of flights permitted.
“It’s disappointing to build further cuts to an already reduced schedule at Newark, but since there is no way to resolve the near-term structural FAA staffing issues, we feel like there is no other choice in order to protect our customers,” Kirby wrote in the letter.
