(MARYLAND) Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, widely known as BWI, briefly evacuated part of its busy Concourse A on the evening of December 3, 2025, after a law enforcement investigation prompted an emergency response around 6:00 p.m. Officials later said they found no threat, and regular operations were back in place by about 6:30 p.m.
Incident summary
- The partial evacuation affected a section of Concourse A, which serves many domestic flights and connects travelers to other parts of the country.
- Passengers in the affected area were instructed to leave while emergency crews and police cordoned off the zone and conducted their investigation.
- Images from the terminal showed people walking away from gates as responders focused on the restricted area.
“No threat” — officials confirmed after the investigation that there was no ongoing danger once the area was cleared and examined.
Timeline of events
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| ~6:00 p.m. | Law enforcement investigation prompted a partial evacuation of Concourse A. |
| ~6:30 p.m. | Officials announced there was no threat and regular operations resumed. |
What officials said (and did not say)
- Authorities did not release details about what triggered the investigation.
- Available reports did not describe the object, report, or specific concern that led to the response.
- Officials emphasized the evacuation applied only to a portion of Concourse A — not the entire terminal.
Passenger experience and operational impact
- Even a short disruption can cause confusion and stress, particularly when people are told to leave gate areas without a full explanation.
- Witnesses reported responders arriving and passengers being guided out of the concourse, while the rest of the airport continued functioning.
- The evacuation took place during a peak travel window (around 6:00 p.m.), increasing the likelihood of:
- delays,
- gate changes,
- brief holds on boarding,
- potential missed connections for travelers with tight layovers.
Remember: only a portion of a concourse may be evacuated while other areas stay operational. Check airline apps or airport announcements for gate reassignments and real-time delays.
How airlines and airport operations typically respond
- Airlines often coordinate with airport operations and law enforcement to:
- adjust boarding times,
- reassign gates when necessary,
- make real-time announcements to affected passengers.
- For many travelers departing Concourse A around the evacuation time, the main impacts were:
- waiting for clearance to return to the gate, or
- being moved to a nearby gate once the area reopened.
Security context and why details may be limited
- This kind of restraint in public reporting is common for several reasons:
- information may be part of an active review,
- details could involve law enforcement techniques,
- officials may judge that granular specifics do not advance public safety after the situation is resolved.
- Incidents that end with “no threat found” serve as reminders that airport security systems are designed to err on the side of caution.
Broader perspective and advice for travelers
- Large airports across the United States 🇺🇸 occasionally carry out partial evacuations when a suspicious item, security report, or other law enforcement matter arises.
- Practical suggestions for travelers:
- Build extra time into trips, especially when connecting through busy hubs.
- Follow instructions from airport staff and law enforcement during security-related events.
- Maintain calm and avoid attempting to re-enter restricted areas until told it is safe.
For more information about transportation security and emergency planning, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security provides general guidance at dhs.gov.
Security investigations may be brief yet cause noticeable delays. Expect occasional boarding holds and plan backup options if you have tight connections.
Key takeaway
- The December 3 evacuation at BWI’s Concourse A concluded with officials confirming no threat and restoring normal operations within roughly 30 minutes.
- While some passengers likely experienced delays or anxiety, the quick resolution shows how airports and law enforcement can rapidly assess and clear concerns while keeping safety the top priority.
For now, the exact cause of the law enforcement investigation at Concourse A remains undisclosed in public reports: a concern triggered the response, the area was emptied as emergency crews examined it, and officials reopened the concourse after determining there was no continuing danger.
On Dec. 3, 2025, around 6:00 p.m., a law enforcement investigation prompted a partial evacuation of BWI’s Concourse A. Emergency crews cordoned off a section while passengers were guided from gates. Officials found no threat and normal operations resumed by about 6:30 p.m. The short disruption occurred during a busy travel period, likely causing delays, gate changes, or missed connections; officials withheld details about what triggered the response.
