WASHINGTON (WJLA) — A strong chemical smell at a federal aviation facility temporarily prompted ground stops at three major airports in the D.C. area on Friday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
‘Strong chemical smell’ causing ground stops at BWI, DCA, IAD airports (WJLA)
Thurgood Marshall Baltimore-Washington International (BWI), Reagan National (DCA), and Dulles International (IAD) Airports were expected to remain on a ground stop until 7 p.m., according to the FAA’s alert page. Dulles International Airport is seeing 90-minute delays (and increasing) on departures.
All ground stops were lifted at the three airports as of 7:45 p.m., though flight delays of up to 3 hours or more remained in effect until overnight Friday into Saturday morning, according to the FAA website.
The FAA said the smell occurred at the Potomac TRACON (Terminal Radar Approach Control) facility in Warranton, Virginia, which sits roughly 50 miles outside of the nation’s capital. The facility helps manage airspace in the region outside of take-offs and departures.
The TRACON facility also serves Richmond International Airport, which is also under a ground stop, according to the FAA. Those restrictions were also lifted by 7:45 p.m., though delays remain.
Philadelphia International Airport was also on a ground delay due to “equipment outages,” a similar reason given for the other airports. That has since been lifted.
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