Frontier Flight Deplaned After Gun Magazine Found Before Departure

Frontier Airlines has confirmed that an incident involving one of its flights led to an evacuation at Denver International Airport over the weekend after a gun magazine was discovered on board. This unsettling event occurred on the evening of Sunday, 10 May, while Frontier flight 4765 was preparing to depart for Phoenix.

A Frontier spokesperson, in a statement to PEOPLE, indicated that the decision to evacuate passengers was taken as a precaution. Following the discovery of the magazine, all passengers were deplaned and subjected to additional screening to ensure their safety. The aircraft was also thoroughly inspected to ascertain whether further ammunition was present, but nothing else was found.

The spokesperson elaborated on the incident, noting that the delay caused by the evacuation led to the flight crew exceeding their duty time. Consequently, affected passengers were rebooked on a subsequent flight, which took off early the next morning. The airline later indicated that preliminary findings suggested the magazine belonged to a law enforcement officer; however, it was not confirmed whether it was loaded at the time of the incident.

Reports from WBRC, however, indicated that the magazine was indeed loaded and that Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents had overlooked it during the screening process. While the TSA allows only unloaded firearms to be transported in checked baggage, they stipulate that all ammunition must be declared and stored properly.

Passengers later expressed confusion over the handling of the situation. Rashon Hammonds, a traveller on the flight, shared his frustrations, saying that they received little to no information during the evacuation process. He recounted, “They never told us why,” adding that there was no guidance after passing through TSA. This left numerous passengers speculating what steps they should take next, particularly as there was no immediate communication from Frontier about their next options.

After the unsettling delay, the rescheduled flight departed Denver at 6 a.m. local time on Monday and successfully reached Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport at 6:50 a.m., according to NBC News. Passengers were likely relieved to know they were finally on their way after the disruption.

Denver International Airport, which could not be immediately reached for comments, is part of a broader effort by various transportation authorities to ensure safety in air travel. Incidents like this one underscore the importance of stringent security measures and the continuous need for thorough checks to prevent potential threats in aviation.

As investigations into the incident continue, passengers and the airline remain hopeful for clear communication and efficient resolutions to any concerns arising from what turned out to be a frustrating and alarming experience.