FAA bill would add more flights to Reagan National; Virginia’s senators push back

ARLINGTON, Va. (DC News Now) — D.C.’s closest airport is on the verge of adding more flights, but the controversial move is facing pushback.

The latest agreed-upon FAA Reauthorization Bill making its way through Congress would add five departing and five arriving flights to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Initially, up to 28 flights could have been added, but negotiators were able to come to a compromise.

‘Something was wrong’: Passenger on DCA plane that narrowly missed collision shares first-person account

However, despite the lower number, Virginia’s senators are expressing opposition.

“Adding these additional flights will cause both, I believe, a safety challenge and increase delays,” Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), said.

Warner said delays impact about one in five flights at DCA and that average delays are over an hour. He cited that information from an analysis from the FAA.

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), who said the main runway at DCA is the “busiest runway in the United States,” said the move to add more flights does not make sense — especially considering there was a near collision between two planes on that runway earlier this month.

But others argue adding flights will increase accessibility to the nation’s capital, and could decrease costs of flying to and from the area.

TSA data shows gun confiscations on pace to break record at DCA

“I go to DCA all the time and it’s very flexible and accessible,” one flyer from Rhode Island, who travels for business, told DC News Now.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, told Congress he was concerned about the “pressure” more flights could create, but that the Department of Transportation is ready to implement whatever Congress approves.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.