United Abandons 9/11 Tribute Flight Over Denver
United Airlines has scrapped plans to fly a Boeing 777 over Denver at low altitude while being flanked by four F-16 fighter jets in commemoration of the 9/11 attacks on its 25th anniversary. The carrier had billed the flypast as a 'private' event for its employees, but local officials were worried it would cause public panic.
The plan was to have the Boeing 777 take off from Denver International Airport at 8:15 am and conduct a 75-minute flyover of the city's high-rise downtown area. The F-16s would be part of the formation, but their participation was later put on hold by the Colorado Air National Guard.
The event was to coincide with the exact time that United Airlines flight UA-175 crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City, 25 years ago. However, after details of the flypast became public, local officials warned its Parks staff for a potential influx of people congregating in public areas at the sight of a large commercial plane being flanked by fighter jets.