Representative photo (Associated Press photo)
Flight operations across the Washington, D.C., area resumed on Friday (local time) after a temporary ground stop due to reports of a strong chemical odor at a key air traffic control facility.Transport Minister Sean Duffy confirmed the development in a post on X, saying: “The ground station has concluded and operations have resumed.”He added that emergency teams examined the site and did not find any danger to employees. “Firefighters from Fauquier County and Prince William County confirm there is no risk to air traffic controllers,” Duffy said.According to Duffy, “The ground stop affected Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) and Richmond International Airport (RIC).”
The problem began after employees at the Potomac TRACON facility reported a strong chemical odor inside the building. The center manages the airspace for much of the Washington area. CNN reported that Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport was the hardest hit, with more than 136 flights canceled and about 300 delays.Emergency responders and a hazardous materials team later traced the problem to a circuit board that had overheated. The component has been replaced.Officials said that flights are gradually returning to normal schedules. However, the Associated Press reported that flight schedules in the Washington, D.C., area are expected to remain unstable through the weekend.
