Flight delays surge at DCA after deadly crash amid governmental layoffs

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 ) .