A ground stop has been issued at major Washington, DC-area airports after a reported chemical smell forced the evacuation of Potomac TRACON, the key radar facility that manages the region’s airspace.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that flights to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), and Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) have been halted. The ground stop also extends to Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO) and Richmond-area flights.
Why Is There A Ground Stop?
According to FAA alerts, Potomac TRACON has been evacuated to “ATC ZERO,” meaning no air traffic control services are currently being provided from the facility. The evacuation was triggered by reports of a chemical smell inside the building, forcing authorities to clear the site.
This is the second time this month that the critical radar center handling Washington, DC airspace has been evacuated. Earlier FAA systems had described the issue as an “unknown operational problem,” but it has since been linked to the evacuation.
The FAA categorized the disruption under “OCL,” or Operational Contingency Level, a status used when air traffic control services are reduced due to emergencies or technical issues.
How Long Will The Ground Stop Last?
Flights to the affected airports were halted as a precaution, with the disruption expected to last until around 8 PM, according to FAA tracking data.
The situation adds to broader travel disruptions across the U.S., where TSA staffing shortages have already led to long wait times at several high-traffic airports.
