Key facts
- The FAA will temporarily suspend flights at Reagan National Airport on August 23.
- The flight suspension is scheduled from 10:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. EDT.
- The pause is to support the Freedom 250 Grand Prix IndyCar race.
- The event celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States.
- The FAA has implemented similar airspace closures for past national events.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it will temporarily pause flight operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) on August 23 from 10:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. EDT. This measure is to support the upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix, an IndyCar race celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States.
The race is scheduled to take place on August 22 and 23, with the course running through downtown Washington, D.C. Spectators can attend general admission for free, with premium 'Champions Club' packages available for $5,000 per person for a two-day experience.
This is not the first time the FAA has closed airspace over Washington's Reagan National Airport for significant events. Similar closures occurred on July 4 for Independence Day celebrations, leading to hundreds of flight cancellations, and on June 14 for President Donald Trump's Army anniversary parade. The FAA has been coordinating with stakeholders for months to ensure safe air traffic movement during these celebrations.
Travelers flying into or out of the Washington, D.C., area on August 23 during the specified window are advised to check their flight status directly with their airline.