FAA Announces KDCA Closures around Independence Day

The FAA announced yesterday that flight operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA) will be temporarily paused on Friday and Saturday to support events celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This will result in the airport being closed for a total of 15 hours—three hours on Friday and 12 hours the following day.

“Flight operations at DCA are expected to be temporarily paused from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 3 and from noon to 11:59 p.m. on July 4 to support Independence Day events,” the FAA wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “These times are subject to change. Travelers should check with their airline for the latest flight status.”

The FAA issued two notams—KDCA-A2311/26 and KDCA-A2312/26—outlining these closures. In addition, the airport is notam closed to all nonscheduled general aviation flights without prior permission from 1 p.m. Thursday until 10 p.m. Sunday. There are also additional notams warning of numerous pyrotechnical demonstrations in the area this week. 

In its announcement, the agency noted that it has been planning and coordinating with stakeholders for months to help ensure the safe and efficient movement of air traffic during the celebrations, including flyovers and fireworks, and that it will implement traffic management initiatives at KDCA before, during, and after certain events.