The Federal Aviation Administration temporarily halted flight operations at major airports Friday after a strong chemical odor at a nearby air traffic control facility disrupted operations across the Washington, D.C., region.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the FAA issued a ground stop affecting several major airports, including Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, Baltimore-Washington International Airport and Richmond International Airport. The disruption stemmed from a strong odor detected at the Potomac Terminal Radar Approach Control facility, known as Potomac TRACON, which manages aircraft arriving and departing from several airports in the region.
“@FAANews is working to address the source of a strong odor coming from Potomac TRACON that is impacting operations at the three airports,” Duffy wrote.
BREAKING
⚠️ Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
⚠️ Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
⚠️ Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI)⁰⚠️ Richmond International Airport (RIC)@FAANews is working to…— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) March 13, 2026
In a preliminary statement, the FAA said it stopped traffic at major airports because the odor was affecting some air traffic controllers working inside the facility.
“The FAA has temporarily stopped traffic at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) because of a strong chemical smell at the Potomac TRACON that is impacting some air traffic controllers,” the FAA said in a statement, as posted by Reuters reporter David Shepardson.
Some departures have already resumed after the temporary ground stop tied to the strong odor, according to the FAA’s National Airspace System status website. However, delays and operational restrictions could remain in place until around midnight as crews work to fully restore normal flight traffic.
All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
- Trump admin reaches settlement with Carter Page over FISA spying - April 23, 2026
- Trump Navy secretary resigns effective immediately - April 23, 2026
- Virginia circuit court rules redistricting vote unconstitutional - April 22, 2026
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
BPR INSIDER COMMENTS
Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!
