Washington DC’s Reagan National Airport (DCA) will close for several hours on July 3 and most of the day on July 4 as the nation’s capital celebrates America’s 250th birthday.
The Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority (MWAA) announced that local airspace will be closed to commercial flights to allow for aerial rehearsals, performances, and July 4 evening fireworks as part of the festivities.
On July 3, no flights will be scheduled at DCA for several hours in the early afternoon, according to MWAA.
On July 4, officials said the airport will not have any flights after 12 p.m., and terminal services will be reduced until flights begin again on July 5.
While July 3 and 4 will see the most significant impacts to flight schedules, disruptions are possible at DCA throughout the entire summer as the celebrations roll on.
“In some instances, airline flight schedules have already been adjusted to avoid pre-planned airspace closure times and minimize impacts on travelers,” MWAA said. “In other cases, DCA flights may be delayed by temporary holds as coordinated through air traffic control communications.”
Additional dates of major events that could see flight disruptions this summer, according to MWAA, include:
- June 24-25 Great American State Fair opening
- June 28 Military Appreciation Day
- July 10 Great American State Fair closeout flyover and parachute jump
- August 22-23 Grand Prix near the National Mall
“During these events, the FAA may issue temporary ground stops for flight operations at the airport,” MWAA said.
However, on most of the dates outside of the Fourth of July, MWAA said that any airspace closures are expected to have a limited duration and impact to overall airport operations.
Travelers are advised to double check their flight departure times and consult their airline for the latest scheduling information.
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