FAA halts flights in DC region due to issues at Potomac air traffic control

Ground stop issued at BWI and other airports amid 'environmental' concerns at regional air traffic control center

Mar. 28, 2026 at 12:43am

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and other airports in the Washington, D.C. region on Friday evening due to unspecified 'environmental' issues at the Potomac Consolidated Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility in Virginia, which handles air traffic control services for the area.

Why it matters

The Potomac TRACON is a critical air traffic control hub for the busy DC metro region, and any disruptions there can have widespread impacts on flights in and out of the region's major airports, including Reagan National, Dulles International, and others. This latest incident comes as travelers are already facing delays and long lines due to the ongoing partial government shutdown and its impact on TSA staffing.

The details

According to the FAA, the ground stop was announced at 6:32 p.m. on Friday due to 'environmental' reasons at the Potomac TRACON facility in Virginia. The TRACON is responsible for providing air traffic control services to the Baltimore region and other nearby airports. In addition to BWI, the ground stop affected flights at Reagan National Airport, Dulles International Airport, as well as airports in Charlottesville and Richmond, Virginia.

  • The ground stop was announced at 6:32 p.m. on Friday, March 28, 2026.
  • Two weeks ago, flights in the DC metro region were delayed due to a strong chemical odor at the Potomac TRACON.

The players

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

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

Potomac Consolidated Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON)

The air traffic control facility in Virginia that provides services to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region, including Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).

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What’s next

The FAA has not yet provided details on the nature of the 'environmental' issues at the Potomac TRACON that led to the ground stop, or when normal flight operations are expected to resume in the region.

The takeaway

This latest disruption at a critical air traffic control facility in the Washington, D.C. area highlights the vulnerability of the nation's aviation system to unexpected operational challenges, which can have ripple effects across multiple airports and impact thousands of travelers, especially during busy travel periods.