Flights Halted at Major DC-Area Airports Due to Chemical Smell

Ground stop affects Reagan National, Dulles, BWI, and Richmond International Airports

Mar. 14, 2026 at 7:18pm

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Flights at four major airports serving the Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Richmond, Virginia areas were halted for over an hour on Friday evening due to a strong chemical smell that was impacting air traffic controllers. The Federal Aviation Administration implemented a ground stop, preventing planes from landing at the affected airports, which caused significant flight delays across the region.

Why it matters

The ground stop at these busy airports disrupted travel plans for thousands of passengers and caused major delays across the air transportation network. It highlights the potential impact that unexpected environmental or operational issues can have on critical infrastructure like airports, which are vital for regional and national transportation.

The details

According to the FAA, the strong chemical smell was coming from the Potomac TRACON facility, which manages air traffic for the Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Richmond areas. The ground stop was put in place to ensure the safety of air traffic controllers and passengers, as the smell was reportedly impeding the controllers' ability to do their jobs effectively. Flights were able to depart the affected airports after about an hour, but the ground stop remained in place, leading to delays of up to two hours for 25-33% of scheduled flights.

  • The ground stop was implemented on Friday, March 14, 2026 around 6 PM ET.
  • Flights were able to depart the affected airports after around 7 PM ET on Friday.

The players

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The U.S. government agency responsible for the regulation and oversight of civil aviation, including air traffic control and airport operations.

Potomac TRACON

A terminal radar approach control facility that manages air traffic for the Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Richmond, Virginia, and the Richmond-Charlottesville areas.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

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

Washington Dulles International Airport

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

Baltimore-Washington International Airport

A major international airport located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, about 9 miles south of downtown Baltimore.

Richmond International Airport

A major airport serving the Richmond, Virginia metropolitan area, located about 7 miles southeast of downtown Richmond.

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What they’re saying

“The ground stop affected Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, Baltimore-Washington International Airport and Richmond International Airport.”

— Sean Duffy, FAA Secretary (Twitter)

What’s next

The FAA is investigating the source of the chemical smell that prompted the ground stop and will work to ensure the safety of air traffic controllers and passengers before fully resuming normal operations at the affected airports.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the critical role that air traffic control facilities play in maintaining the safety and efficiency of the national air transportation system, and the potential for unexpected environmental issues to significantly disrupt travel plans for thousands of passengers across multiple major airports.