Plane flights into D.C. area diverted due to air traffic control repairs

Issues with a communications system in Warrenton resulted in a temporary suspension of most flights coming into the D.C. area, including at Dulles International Airport and Reagan National Airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a “ground stop” shortly after 6 p.m., pausing departures to the D.C. area so that repairs could be made to a communications system at the Potomac Terminal Radar Approach Control facility in Warrenton.

The Potomac TRACON facility controls air space for Dulles, National and several other key airports in the region.

“The facility has switched to a backup system,” the FAA said at 6:27 p.m., noting that departures from the D.C. area and incoming flights from New York were continuing.

By 6:54 p.m., flights from the West Coast, Midwest and Florida had also resumed.

Contrary to initial reports from travelers on Twitter, who said a fire had taken out air traffic control at either Dulles or National Airport, the FAA says there have been no official reports of a fire.

Dulles Airport reported that the ground stop was lifted at 7:07 p.m.

However, departures from Dulles have been delayed by 90 minutes on average, a time frame that may increase, according to the FAA’s latest air systems status update at 6:56 p.m.

Flights from New York bound for D.C. continue, and flights departing D.C.-area airports continue. 
 
Continue to monitor https://t.co/smgdqJN3td for the latest.

— The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) June 25, 2023

The ground stop has been lifted and flights have resumed.

Please check with your airline for flight status. https://t.co/GmPj06MOHN

— Dulles Airport (IAD) (@Dulles_Airport) June 25, 2023

All DC area air traffic control is offline. And before you call bullshit, the flight I'm on was just rerouted states away as a result.

— RJR Capital (@RJRCapital) June 25, 2023

Have heard from a number of people – what is everyone seeing? #airtravel https://t.co/CaxB4KznRh

— Adam Tuss (@AdamTuss) June 25, 2023