Air Traffic Resumes at Washington Airports After Evacuation

FAA says controllers have returned to the Potomac Consolidated Terminal RADAR Approach Control facility.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 12:50am

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that air traffic has resumed at the three main Washington, D.C. area airports after a strong chemical smell forced the evacuation of an air traffic control facility in Warrenton, Virginia. The FAA had issued ground stops at Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles, Baltimore, and smaller airports in Charlottesville and Richmond, but lifted them about 90 minutes later as controllers returned to the Potomac Consolidated Terminal RADAR Approach Control (TRACON) facility.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the critical role air traffic control facilities play in managing the flow of air traffic in major metropolitan areas. Evacuations and disruptions at these facilities can have widespread impacts on flights and travelers across the region.

The details

According to the FAA, the strong chemical smell prompted the evacuation of the Potomac Consolidated Terminal RADAR Approach Control (TRACON) facility in Warrenton, Virginia, which controls airspace over numerous airports in the Washington region. This led the FAA to issue ground stops at Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles, Baltimore, and smaller airports in Charlottesville and Richmond around 6:40 p.m. EDT. The ground stops were lifted about 90 minutes later as controllers returned to the TRACON facility.

  • The incident occurred around 6:40 p.m. EDT on Friday, March 27, 2026.
  • The FAA lifted the ground stops about 90 minutes later, around 8:10 p.m. EDT.

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 Warrenton, Virginia that controls airspace over numerous airports in the Washington, D.C. region.

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What’s next

The FAA will likely investigate the cause of the strong chemical smell that prompted the evacuation and disruption to air traffic in the Washington region.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the critical importance of air traffic control facilities in managing the flow of air traffic and the potential for disruptions at these facilities to have widespread impacts on travelers. It also highlights the need for robust contingency plans and backup systems to ensure the continuity of air traffic operations.