Washington-Area Airports Briefly Suspend Flights Due to Chemical Odor

Airports serving Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and parts of Virginia halted operations after a chemical smell was detected at an air traffic control center.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 2:18am

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Several major airports in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, including those serving the nation's capital as well as Baltimore and parts of Virginia, temporarily suspended all flights on Friday evening due to a chemical odor detected at an air traffic control facility. The incident led to widespread flight delays and cancellations across the region as authorities investigated the source of the smell.

Why it matters

The temporary shutdown of airspace around Washington, D.C. and surrounding areas is a significant disruption to air travel, impacting thousands of passengers and causing ripple effects across the broader transportation network. Incidents like this highlight the critical role that air traffic control centers play in maintaining the safety and efficiency of the national aviation system.

The details

According to officials, the chemical odor was detected at the Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center in Leesburg, Virginia, which oversees high-altitude flights in the region. As a precautionary measure, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a temporary ground stop at airports including Reagan National, Dulles International, and Baltimore-Washington International, halting all departures and arrivals. The cause of the odor is still under investigation, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or illnesses.

  • The incident occurred on Friday, March 28, 2026 around 8:00 PM local time.
  • The ground stop was lifted approximately 90 minutes later, around 9:30 PM, allowing flights to resume.

The players

Federal Aviation Administration

The U.S. government agency responsible for the regulation and oversight of civil aviation.

Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center

The air traffic control facility located in Leesburg, Virginia that oversees high-altitude flights in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Reagan National Airport

A major international airport located in Arlington, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

Dulles International Airport

A large international airport located in Dulles, Virginia, about 26 miles west of downtown Washington, D.C.

Baltimore-Washington International Airport

A major airport located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, serving the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas.

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What they’re saying

“The safety of passengers and crew is our top priority. We are working closely with local authorities to investigate the source of the odor and resume normal operations as soon as possible.”

— Greg Martin, FAA Spokesperson

What’s next

The FAA and local authorities will continue investigating the cause of the chemical odor detected at the air traffic control center to determine if there are any ongoing safety concerns. Airports in the region are expected to resume normal flight operations once the investigation is complete.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the critical importance of air traffic control systems in maintaining the safety and efficiency of air travel, and the potential for unexpected disruptions that can ripple across the entire transportation network when issues arise at key control facilities.