Ground stop lifted at D.C. area airports after chemical smell

Flights resumed after being halted at four Washington, D.C., area airports Friday evening over a chemical odor at a radar facility that was affecting air traffic controllers, officials said.

Ground stops were issued at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport; Washington Dulles International Airport; Baltimore-Washington International Airport; and Richmond International Airport shortly after 6:30 p.m., according to transportation authorities.

The ground stops were lifted by around 8 p.m., the Federal Aviation Administration’s website said, but airports warned there could be residual delays Friday night.

The “strong chemical smell” was reported at the Potomac TRACON, which stands for Terminal Radar Approach Control, and was “impacting some air traffic controllers,” the FAA said.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on X that the FAA was was working to address the source of the odor.

“Airlines are once again resuming regular operations and preparing departures. Expect residual delays this evening,” Baltimore-Washington International Airport announced on X at 8 p.m.

The Potomac TRACON building that experienced the trouble is in Northern Virginia, it said.