Washington National Airport Flights Resume After 20‑Minute Drone‑Related Halt

On Wednesday night, air traffic at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) stopped for 20 minutes when a suspected drone entered the airport’s airspace. Air traffic control immediately issued a general alert, instructing all pilots to watch for an uncrewed aerial system over the field. After the brief pause, flights resumed without further incident. The event highlighted how quickly an unauthorized drone can disrupt operations at a major U.S. airport and prompted a swift response from controllers to protect aircraft and passengers. The incident underscores the growing challenge of maintaining safe airspace in the face of increasing drone activity. It also serves as a reminder that airports and air traffic control must remain vigilant and ready to respond to unexpected aerial threats.