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Flight delays surge at DCA after deadly crash amid governmental layoffs

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Flight delays surge at DCA after deadly crash amid governmental layoffs
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Summer Hull Director of content | The Points Guy

In the aftermath of a tragic aviation accident and amid governmental layoffs, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) has been grappling with significant flight disruptions. According to a recent report by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), nearly 40% of flights were delayed or canceled in February.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has continued to restrict the number of planes arriving at DCA following the January 29 collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, which resulted in 67 fatalities. This incident marks the deadliest U.S. commercial airline crash in over two decades.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that safety measures remain paramount, leading to ongoing limitations on air traffic at the airport, which is closest to the nation’s capital.

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During February, approximately 34% of flights experienced delays arriving at DCA—three times more than during the same period last year. Additionally, close to 8% of inbound flights were canceled, up from around 0.5% last year.

Immediately after the crash, FAA halted all flights and diverted planes to nearby Dulles International Airport (IAD) as part of a large-scale investigation. As runways reopened gradually, caps on hourly flight arrivals remained in place throughout most of February.

Following urgent safety recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board , restrictions were imposed on helicopter traffic near DCA . Essential helicopter flights , including Marine One transports involving President Donald Trump , continue to cause routine halts in air traffic .

A recent poll indicates increased anxiety among travelers following recent plane crashes , with  65 % respondents expressing heightened nervousness about flying .

The MWAA reported that delays have become less widespread recently; as of late March,  about  12 % scheduled flights faced delays . Travelers seeking alternatives might consider flying out  of IAD or Baltimore / Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport ( BWI ) .

DCA has also seen a decline in passenger traffic; boardings dropped by approximately  12 % -  13 % compared  to last year due largely to reduced government travel amid economic concerns tied  to workforce cuts under Trump administration policies . This trend echoes broader industry concerns about potential softness in travel demand both domestically and internationally .

Despite these challenges , several airlines launched new transcontinental routes from DCA following congressional authorization last year . These include nonstop services by American Airlines  to San Antonio International Airport ( SAT ) , Alaska Airlines  to San Diego International Airport ( SAN ) ,  Southwest Airlines  to Las Vegas ' Harry Reid International Airport ( LAS ) ,  Delta Air Lines  to Seattle - Tacoma International Airport ( SEA ) ,  and United Airlines ' second daily nonstop flight  to San Francisco International Airport ( SFO ) .

Organizations Included in this History
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