Flights at three DC-area airports halted over ‘strong odor’ at air traffic control center: FAA

Flights were grounded at three major DC-area airports on Friday night because of a “strong odor” emanating from an air traffic control center, officials said.

A ground stop was issued at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport and Baltimore-Washington International Airport, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement on X.

A ‘strong odor’ emanating from an air traffic control center has forced flight groundings at three major DC-area airports. AFP via Getty Images

Richmond International Airport in Virginia was also impacted by the ground stop, according to Duffy.

The Federal Aviation Administration “is working  to address the source of a strong odor coming from Potomac TRACON that is impacting operations at the three airports,” the transportation secretary said.

Potomac Consolidated TRACON is a facility that provides air traffic control to the affected airports.