Airport Will Be Closed To Traffic For A Little More Than Two Hours Over Two Periods

The FAA is suspending operations for a total of two hours and 15 minutes over two periods Thursday to accommodate the July 4th flyovers and fireworks display in Washington, D.C.

"The FAA will suspend operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) from 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. ET for the July 4th flyovers. Operations will also be impacted from 9:00 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. for the fireworks demonstration," the agency said in a message posted to Twitter. "Aeromedical and emergency flights will be authorized as necessary. Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall and Dulles International Airports will not be affected. Please check with your airline for flight information."

The Hill reports that President Donald Trump will participate in the ceremony, dubbed "Salute to America on the National Mall". The event has been in the works since February. The event will feature flyovers by Air Force One, a stealth bomber and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels demonstration team. Military tanks will also be displayed on the Mall.

Some Congressional Democrats have criticized the event, saying President Trump is "politicizing" the holiday, and that the display of military hardware is similar to those used by leaders of autocratic regimes. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) said in a Tweet Tuesday that "July 4 is about celebrating our country, not our President. Our national holidays must be left alone."

(Image from file)

FMI: Source report
FAA Twitter