Passengers confronted prolonged delays at Washington, D.C.-area airports Friday night after a “strong odor” at an air visitors management heart was reported.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy mentioned in an X submit a floor cease was issued for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport and Baltimore-Washington International Airport.
He mentioned the Federal Aviation Administration was working to search out the supply of a “strong odor” on the Potomac Consolidated Terminal RADAR Approach Control, or TRACON, in Warrenton, Virginia.
More than two hours later, Duffy introduced the bottom cease had been lifted and “operations have resumed.”
Flights out of the three airports confronted delays of 1 hour to greater than three hours, in response to a number of information experiences. As of late Friday night time, the delays on the D.C.-area airports have ended, per the FFA.
Passenger Kristen Rodrigues advised CNN she was set to fly to Chicago early Friday afternoon, however she ended up getting caught on the tarmac at Reagan Airport for hours earlier than heading again to the terminal.
“Two hours go by, we’re still on the runway – no updates – and I could see that the pilots are pretty frustrated,” Rodrigues mentioned.
There was additionally a floor cease at Richmond International Airport, Charlottesville Albemarle Airport and Manassas Regional Airport, all in Virginia, CNN reported.
Duffy mentioned the odor was from an overheated circuit board that was later changed.
“Firefighters from Fauquier County and Prince William County confirm there is no danger to air traffic controllers, and they are returning to the Potomac TRACON,” Duffy wrote on X. “The source of the strong odor was traced to a circuit board that overheated, and it was replaced.”
During the commotion, Senator Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat, wrote on X he was “thinking of all workers impacted by this incident and praying for their health and safety.
“Thank you to all first responders addressing the situation.”
The Frauquier County Fire Rescue System mentioned in a press launch it, together with a Hazardous Materials Team from Prince William County, responded to the incident after FAA workers reported a “strong smell of chemicals.”
“The Hazardous Materials team identified a faulty building monitor being worked on by a contractor,” Fire Rescue System Chief Kalvyn Smith mentioned in a press release.
More than 30 FAA workers have been evaluated and none wanted to be taken to the hospital.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/bwi-reagan-dulles-flight-delays-dc-airports-b2938408.html