A “strong odor” reported at a key air traffic control center disrupted flights Friday evening at the country’s major airports. Washington, D.C., region for the second time in two weeks.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) interrupted flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI), Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO), and Richmond International Airport (RIC), the agency told FOX Business in an email.
The FAA said the disruptions were due to a “strong odor” at the Potomac Terminal Radar Approach Control Center (TRACON), which manages the airspace in the region.
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An FAA air traffic control tower at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia.
The cause of the smell was not immediately clear.
Ground controls at Dulles, Reagan National and BWI remained in effect until approximately 8 p.m. ET before being lifted, according to the The FAA website.
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The FAA said the disruption was due to a “strong odor” at the Potomac Terminal Radar Approach Control Center (TRACON). (Flightradar24)
As of 8:30 p.m., Reagan National was experiencing ground delays, while BWI continued to experience departure delays.
Earlier this month, a ground check was also conducted at several airports in the Washington, D.C., area after a chemical odor was detected at the TRACON center.
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Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy speaks during a news conference at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. (Heather Diehl/Getty Images/Getty Images)
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The temporary ground stop on March 13 also affected DCA, IAD, BWI and RIC, Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy said at the time.
Duffy said the smell came from an overheated circuit board, which has since been replaced.
