DC-area airports hit with ground stops over odor in control tower
DC-area airports hit with ground stops over odor in control tower
A burning odor at a Virginia air traffic control center led to FAA ground stops at Reagan National, Dulles, and BWI, and the evacuation of a nearby radar facility.
A strong burning odor at a Virginia air traffic control center prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to issue ground stops for several Washington-area airports on Friday evening. The affected airports include Ronald Reagan Washington National, Dulles International, and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall, according to the FAA's website. The odor also led to the evacuation of the Potomac Consolidated Terminal RADAR Approach Control in Virginia as safety crews moved to a safer location. This disruption halted many flights and created noticeable delays for travelers trying to reach or depart the nation’s capital.
The incident marks a second disruption in roughly two weeks tied to the same control center, after a prior report of a “strong odor” that prompted earlier ground stops. Transportation officials have referenced a possible cause from the March incident—a circuit board that overheated—though no official determination has been stated for Friday’s events. The FAA has not yet released a formal cause, and investigators are examining equipment and procedures at the TRACON facility.
Airlines and travelers were urged to monitor status updates and contact carriers for rebooking options as crews worked to restore normal operations. The FAA’s incident response teams are coordinating recovery efforts to ensure safety and efficiency as traffic returns to standard levels. Officials emphasized that no injuries were reported and that the priority remains safety while the investigation continues.
As operations resume, passengers should expect residual delays and possible rerouting as air traffic in the region stabilizes. The FAA and airport authorities promised to provide further updates as more information becomes available and as the source of the odor is identified and contained.
