The Federal Aviation Administration will pause hundreds of passenger flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to accommodate President Donald Trump’s extravagant military parade on June 14.
The flights will be disrupted to accommodate the planned flyovers over the National Mall and the fireworks display across the Potomac River. According to an FAA briefing document, viewed by the Washington Post, about 100 flights will be delayed at their departure airports for an average of three hours. Few, if any, flights will be allowed in or out of the airport from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
A notice on the Reagan Airport’s website warned that the June 14 military parade “may significantly impact vehicle and airline traffic.”
“To accommodate aircraft flyovers along the parade route, followed by a fireworks display, the Federal Aviation Administration is expected to suspend airline operations at DCA — affecting scheduled flights. Customers with flight reservations for the evening of June 14 should check the status of their flights directly with their airline,” the notice read.
Those traveling to the airport were warned of traffic delays, with the notice suggesting using the Metro instead of road travel. Viewing fireworks at the airport was “strongly discouraged” due to limited space.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the Defense Department for comment.
The parade will be the first of its kind since the June 8, 1991, National Victory Celebration to mark the victory over Iraq in the Gulf War. This time around, the display of American military prowess will mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and Trump’s birthday.
The parade will feature 6,600 soldiers from at least 11 corps and divisions, 150 military vehicles, including 25 M1 Abrams main battle tanks, and 50 helicopters. The helicopters and the parachute jump from the Army’s Golden Knights into the Ellipse are reasons for the flight delays.
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The Potomac River will also be shut down.
Flight delays aren’t the only concerns for Washington, D.C., as Mayor Muriel Bowser voiced concern over damage to roadways caused mainly by the 74-ton behemoth Abrams tanks, a weight far exceeding what the city’s streets are built to handle.