Image Credit: Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images 
Ground stops have been issued for all major airports in the Washington, D.C. region as authorities investigate a “strong odor” at a key air traffic control facility.
On Friday afternoon, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a de facto freeze on inbound and outbound flight traffic at several airports servicing the Washington metropolitan region and northern Virginia.
“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,” an FAA spokesperson stated.
Richmond International Airport (RIC) and Manassas Regional Airport (HEF) were also affected by the orders.
“[FAA] is working to address the source of a strong odor coming from Potomac TRACON that is impacting operations at the three airports,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on social media.
The ground stops were expected to remain in effect until at least 8 p.m. EDT, with the FAA saying there was a “medium” probability of them being extended.
Located in Warrenton, Virginia, the Potomac Consolidated Terminal RADAR Approach Control (TRACON) facility oversees airspace for Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Richmond, Charlottesville, Joint Base Andrews, and neighboring areas.
On Thursday morning, Reagan National Airport was evacuated after “a suspicious package was located in a break room.”
On Sunday, Kansas City International Airport was evacuated due to a reported bomb threat.
The Kansas City Aviation Department received a call about a “potential device” inside the terminal and a parking garage, triggering immediate emergency protocols at around 11:15 a.m.
Travelers and airport workers were herded out onto the tarmac, arriving planes were held on the taxiway, and roads leading into the airport were reportedly blocked off for hours.
“FBI and our law enforcement partners quickly responded to the scene and secured the area. The threat was reviewed and determined not to be credible. Terminal has been swept, cleared, and normal operations resumed,” FBI Director Kash Patel announced on Sunday afternoon.
Last Friday night, authorities stormed a Southwest Airlines flight that was diverted to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport following an alleged “bomb threat” onboard.
The FBI’s Atlanta office later announced that they “investigated and interviewed the person. There was no credible threat and no charges will be filed.”
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