FAA to suspend flights at Reagan National Airport during Trump’s Fourth of July event

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said Tuesday it will suspend operations at Ronald Reagan National Airport just outside Washington, D.C., on the Fourth of July to accommodate aspects of President Trump’s “Salute to America” event.

The agency said in a statement that operations at the Arlington, Va., airport will cease from 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. on Thursday while a military flyover takes place.

{mosads}Operations will again be impacted from 9 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. during an extended fireworks show, the FAA said. The launch point for the fireworks has been changed to accommodate Trump’s speech at the Lincoln Memorial

Medical and emergency flights will be authorized as necessary, the agency said. Baltimore/Washington International and Dulles International Airport will not be affected. 

FAA Statement: On July 4, the #FAA will suspend operations at @Reagan_Airport from 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. ET. Operations will also be impacted from 9:00 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Please check with your airline for flight information. pic.twitter.com/HbLumFNuZJ

— The FAA (@FAANews) July 2, 2019

Trump will participate in Salute to America on the National Mall on Thursday, an event he has teased since February. 

The military will feature prominently in the festivities, as the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and an Air Force One jet will be featured in a flyover and tanks will be displayed on the Mall.

Big 4th of July in D.C. “Salute to America.” The Pentagon & our great Military Leaders are thrilled to be doing this & showing to the American people, among other things, the strongest and most advanced Military anywhere in the World. Incredible Flyovers & biggest ever Fireworks!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 2, 2019

Democrats have expressed concerns that Trump is politicizing the holiday and that his use of military equipment will mirror parades held in autocratic regimes.

“July 4 is about celebrating our country, not our President. Our national holidays must be left alone,” Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) tweeted Tuesday.