Key Points
- FAA issued ground stops at BWI, Reagan National and Dulles airports
- The smell was reported at the Potomac TRACON facility in Warrenton, Virginia
- Departures at Dulles delayed about 90 minutes while Baltimore delays exceeded two hours
WASHINGTON: A strong chemical smell reported at a federal air traffic control facility in Virginia triggered widespread flight disruptions across several Washington area airports on Friday evening, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The issue was traced to the Potomac TRACON facility in Warrenton, Virginia, about 50 miles southwest of Washington. The center manages aircraft movements in the region’s airspace outside of immediate airport takeoffs and landings.
As a precaution, the FAA ordered ground stops at several major airports served by the facility, including Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport.
Passengers inside Reagan National Airport were seen waiting at crowded gates Friday night, with some travelers sitting or lying on terminal floors as departure boards continued to update with delays.
According to FAA data, departure delays at Dulles reached around 90 minutes and were increasing, while delays at Baltimore extended beyond two hours.
The disruption also affected additional airports within the Potomac TRACON coverage area. Richmond International Airport, Charlottesville Albemarle Airport and Manassas Regional Airport were also placed under ground stops.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the FAA was investigating the source of the odor detected at the air traffic control center.
The Potomac TRACON facility plays a critical role in managing aircraft movements across one of the busiest air corridors on the US East Coast. It oversees traffic for multiple airports in the Baltimore-Washington region as well as parts of Virginia.
Separately, Philadelphia International Airport experienced ground delays Friday linked to equipment outages, according to FAA alerts.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the odor, and the FAA said the situation remains under investigation.
