Quantcast

Passenger removed from United Airlines flight after bringing loaded gun onboard

Airline Stocks To Keep An Eye On - April 28th
Report: JetBlue, United Mulling Partnership
New First-Class Suites, Futuristic Aircraft and the Top Air Travel News From April 2025
Southwest Airlines Announces Reimagined Fare Products, New Benefits for Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers and Tier Member Customers
United CEO calls Trump's tariffs a 'chess game'
Flight tickets from Srinagar remain exorbitantly high despite aviation ministry request
RTX Q1 Earnings & Sales Beat Estimates, Increase Year Over Year
Delta faces federal investigation as it scraps hundreds of flights for fifth straight day
Coalition pledges to remove EV tax break two days after Dutton ruled out scrapping it – as it happened
Adani’s airport unit seeks $750 million loan from global banks
GE Aerospace affirms outlook; CEO met with Trump to discuss tariffs
Flight made emergency landing in Denver after reported animal strike and engine fire
General Dynamics says G800 jet receives FAA, EASA certifications
Archer unveils plans for NYC air-taxi network in partnership with United Airlines
United Airlines doubles down on Chicago roots with new O'Hare billboards
ICAO Proposes ‘Journey Pass’ Biometric ID Boarding
Gatwick airport strikes, Easter 2025: will my flight be cancelled?
Boarding passes and check-in could be scrapped in air travel shake-up
European air traffic warning means summer delays for holidaymakers
The EU rule change that could affect millions of Brits when their flight is delayed or cancelled
Delta Earnings Land Soon. Why They’re Key for Airline Stocks and the Economy.
Avelo Airlines to Operate Deportation Flights, Hiring Flight Attendants
Travel chaos 2025: all the strikes and disruption expected across Europe
Qatar Airways accelerates Starlink wifi implementation
Southwest Airlines extends flight schedule through early April 2025
Cathay Pacific reaches 3,400 pilots this year, with low resignation rate of 2.9%
Qatar Airways Nears Boeing 777 Fleet-Wide Starlink Upgrade
United receives FAA approval for first Starlink-equipped planes
50 New Routes Launching In April 2025
Qantas launches mammoth Asia flight sale including Bali and Japan
Passenger removed from United Airlines flight after bringing loaded gun onboard
Policy
Webp messenger creation 8c02ace4 17b3 4199 9f8f 9f8693e7cf00
David Pekoske TSA Administrator | Official Website

On April 15, a passenger was removed from a United Airlines flight at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) after a firearm was detected during security screening. The incident, captured on police body camera and reported by Local 12 on May 13, involved Besnik Ismajlaj, who reached into an X-ray machine to retrieve his bag containing the weapon before it could be confiscated.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer identified the image of a gun during routine checks. However, Ismajlaj managed to leave for his flight with the bag before authorities could intervene. Police later located him on the plane, where he did not resist arrest. He was charged with carrying a concealed firearm at the airport.

A TSA supervisor noted that the incident occurred during a shift change at the checkpoint. According to a Chicago Police Department report cited by CBS News Chicago, officers confronted Ismajlaj, who acknowledged having the gun in his bag. Upon inspection, they found a loaded Glock 9mm semiautomatic pistol.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Robert Mark, an experienced pilot and former air traffic controller, commented on the oversight: "I think it's pretty clear that somebody at TSA was not paying attention... I've never heard of someone being stopped at a security checkpoint for a possible weapon and being able to just... grab the bag and walk off."

Ismajlaj's immediate acknowledgment of law enforcement suggests awareness of his actions. Despite this breach in protocol, it is plausible he intended no harm but rather acted hastily due to time constraints.

Firearms regulations vary widely; however, TSA rules mandate that firearms must be unloaded and transported in checked baggage within locked containers. The loaded Glock violated these regulations as it was stored in hand luggage.

TSA Administrator David Pekoske emphasized safety: "One firearm at a checkpoint is too many... If individuals who carry a firearm intend to travel, we remind them that the firearm must be unloaded, locked in a hard-sided case, declared to the airline at check-in counter and transported in checked baggage.”

In 2024 alone, TSA discovered 6,678 firearms at US airport checkpoints—94% were loaded—underscoring ongoing challenges in airport security protocols.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Ethiopian Airlines has announced the launch of a new daily passenger service to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Jul 16, 2025

Etihad Airways has announced the launch of services to seven new destinations—Almaty, Baku, Bucharest, Medina, Tashkent, Tbilisi, and Yerevan—beginning in November 2025.

Jul 16, 2025

Airlines for America has emphasized the need for increased funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to hire more air traffic controllers, update infrastructure, and build on the One Big Beautiful Bill down payment.

Jul 16, 2025

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has announced a complete closure of Aviation Boulevard between Arbor Vitae Street and Century Boulevard from July 14 at 9 a.m. to July 21 at 6 a.m. Shuttle access to the LAX/Metro Transit Center will remain...

Jul 16, 2025

Avianca has announced the launch of a social media thread on X, inviting travelers to explore Dallas as a new destination.

Jul 16, 2025

Finnair announced that Palta and the Finnish Transport Workers’ Union (IAU) have reached a negotiation result, leading to the cancellation of all previously announced strikes and the resumption of normal flight operations.

Jul 16, 2025