Ground stop at 3 DC-area airports due to ‘strong chemical smell’ - WTOP

WTOP
March 13, 2026
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2 min read

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The Bottom Line

Three DC-area airports stopped all flights due to reports of strong chemical smell.

How This Affects You

If you're traveling through Reagan National, Dulles, or BWI, your flights may be delayed or cancelled.

AI Summary

Three Washington D.C.-area airports implemented a ground stop due to reports of a strong chemical smell. The airports affected include Reagan National, Dulles International, and Baltimore-Washington International. All aircraft departures were temporarily halted as authorities investigated the source of the odor. The ground stop disrupted air travel in the nation's capital region while officials worked to determine if it was safe to resume normal operations.

What's Being Done

Authorities are investigating the source of the odor to determine if operations can resume safely.

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