DOT Sec. Duffy Announces FAA Ground Stop Is | Political News
Updated [9:40 PM ET]: In an update, Sec. Duffy said the ground stop has ended, with regular operations resuming. He said no one is in hazard. And we now know what precipitated it: (emphasis added)
UPDATE: The ground stop is over and operations have resumed.
Firefighters from Fauquier County and Prince William County affirm there’s no hazard to air visitors controllers, and they’re returning to the Potomac TRACON. The source of the strong odor was traced to a circuit… https://t.co/6DwPLPw0OE
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) March 14, 2026
UPDATE: The ground stop is over and operations have resumed.
Firefighters from Fauquier County and Prince William County affirm there’s no hazard to air visitors controllers, and they’re returning to the Potomac TRACON. The source of the strong odor was traced to a circuit board that overheated, and it was changed.
Thank you for your persistence as we get flights up and operating again @FAANews
unique story
Secretary of Transportation Sec. Sean Duffy has announced a sudden “ground stop” of airplanes arriving and departing from at least 4 U.S. airports, according to a number of breaking experiences on Friday:
🚨BREAKING🚨 GROUND STOP CURRENTLY AT THE FOLLOWING AIRPORTS:
⚠️ Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
⚠️ Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
⚠️ Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI)⁰⚠️ Richmond International Airport (RIC)@FAANews is working to…— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) March 13, 2026
Duffy made the announcement in an X post, which shares the explanation for the stop, “a strong odor”:
BREAKING GROUND STOP CURRENTLY AT THE FOLLOWING AIRPORTS: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) Richmond International Airport (RIC)
@FAANews is working to handle the source of a strong odor coming from Potomac TRACON that is impacting operations at the three airports. For the most up to date data on your flight standing, go to https://nasstatus.faa.gov
WBAL-TV has more particulars on what’s recognized proper now about the stop, and the reference to “Potomac TRACON”:
A strong chemical scent that affected air visitors controllers prompted an hours-long ground stop at a number of airports, including Baltimore’s.
…
A ground delay is in impact until at least 12:59 a.m. Saturday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Flight delays of more than an hour have been reported.
…
An FAA consultant despatched a assertion to WBAL-TV 11 News at 6 p.m., referring to the Potomac Consolidated Terminal RADAR Approach Control (TRACON).
“The FAA has temporarily stopped traffic at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) because of a strong chemical smell at the Potomac TRACON that is impacting some air traffic controllers.”
The report notes that the emergency would possibly have an effect on smaller airports, as properly:
Other airports along the East Coast also impacted included Washington Dulles International, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Richmond International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, Charlottesville Albemarle Airport, Manassas Regional Airport/Harry P. Davis Field and others.
This is a breaking story. RedState will present updates as more data turns into accessible.
Stay up to date with the latest developments in politics! Our web site is your go-to source for cutting-edge political news, election updates, authorities insurance policies, political events, marketing campaign methods, and insights into laws. We update our content daily to guarantee you may have access to the freshest data and analysis on voter rights, public opinion, political analysis, election outcomes, political debates, overseas relations, corruption, activism, and civic engagement.
Explore how these political trends are shaping the future! Visit us usually for the most partaking and informative political content by clicking right here. Our rigorously curated articles will keep you informed on grassroots actions, worldwide relations, coverage modifications, and constitutional points.
