Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) will be closed to flight traffic for several hours on July 3 and for most of the day July 4 to make way for America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority (MWAA) has announced.
The airport authority has also advised flyers of potential disruptions due to other large events over the summer, many of which will include downtown flyovers, fireworks or parachute jumps.
"In some instances, airline flight schedules have already been adjusted to avoid pre-planned airspace closure times and minimize impacts on travelers," MWAA said. "In other cases, DCA flights may be delayed by temporary holds as coordinated through air traffic control communications."
On July 3, the DCA runway closures will last for several hours in the early afternoon due to aerial rehearsals. On July 4, no flights are scheduled from 12 p.m. onward for aerial displays and fireworks.
MWAA also flagged several other events this summer that could cause shorter DCA runway closures: the Great State Fair opening June 24 to 25, Military Appreciation Day on June 28, the Great American State Fair closeout flyover and parachute jump on July 10 and the Freedom 250 Grand Prix near the National Mall Aug. 22 to 23.