US Edition
Ground stops at Reagan National, Dulles due to chemical smell
A chemical odor at Potomac TRACON disrupted controllers and triggered ground stops, causing delays of up to three and a half hours and over 400 cancellations, FAA said.
- On Friday, the FAA halted flights at multiple Washington-area airports after a reported chemical smell, placing Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Dulles International Airport, and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport under ground stops through at least 7 p.m. Eastern.
- The FAA said a strong chemical smell impacted some air traffic controllers at the Potomac Consolidated TRACON, which helps manage approach functions as a Terminal RADAR Approach Control.
- FlightAware reported close to 7,000 delays and 647 cancellations on Friday as Dulles International Airport departures faced 90-minute delays and Philadelphia International Airport had a ground delay.
- The FAA warned the holds could be extended, citing a medium probability of extension and cautioning that the ground stops are subject to change as the situation develops.
- Because the TRACON manages regional approach airspace, its outage in Warrenton, Virginia, roughly 50 miles outside Washington, caused ground stops at Richmond International Airport and other regional airports.
147 Articles
147 Articles
Strong chemical smell forces one-hour flight halt at four major Washington DC-area airports
The ground stop affected Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, Baltimore-Washington International Airport and Richmond International Airport, FAA Secretary Sean Duffy announced
Flights resume at Washington D.C. airports after heavy odor suspension in control center
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) resumed landings at Washington DC airports. On Friday afternoon, air operations at several airports near the capital of the country were suspended due to the presence of a strong chemical smell at an air traffic control facility. Read more
Officials Lift Ground Stop at D.C. Area Airports Following 'Strong Odor'
Residual delays following the order were expected for all affected airports Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on March 13, 2026Credit: Drew ANGERER / AFP via GettyNEED TO KNOWA strong odor grounded flights in the D.C. area as crews worked to determine the sourceUnited States Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy confirmed the incident on social mediaFour airports were affected, and substantial delays were expecte…
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