Flights Halted at Washington-Area Airports Due to Chemical Smell

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Airports serving the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore metropolitan areas briefly halted all flights on Friday evening due to a strong chemical smell detected at the Potomac TRACON, the regional air traffic control facility that manages airspace for the region. The Federal Aviation Administration temporarily stopped flights at several major airports, including Reagan National, Dulles, and BWI, until the issue could be investigated and resolved.

Why it matters

Airport shutdowns can cause major travel disruptions, flight delays, and economic impacts, especially at major hubs like those serving the nation's capital. This incident raises questions about the safety and resilience of critical air traffic infrastructure, as well as the preparedness of airports and the FAA to respond quickly to potential hazards.

The details

According to the FAA, the chemical odor was detected at the Potomac TRACON, the regional air traffic control facility that manages airspace for the Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and surrounding areas. As a precaution, the FAA temporarily halted flights at Reagan National, Dulles, BWI, Charlottesville-Albemarle, and Richmond International Airports. Flights were able to resume after controllers returned to work and the issue was resolved, though some residual delays were expected.

• The ground stop was issued on Friday, March 28, 2026 in the evening.
• This was the second time this month that airports in the region had to halt flights due to a chemical smell at the Potomac TRACON.

What’s next

The FAA and local authorities will investigate the source of the chemical odor at the Potomac TRACON to determine the cause and ensure there are no ongoing safety concerns.