Background on Ronald Reagan Washington National and Washington Dulles International Airports:

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is an interstate compact entity that operates Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) pursuant to a lease from the federal government.  Each day, approximately 800 commercial aircraft operate at each airport. 

The Airports Authority's Role in Regional Flight Operations:

The Airports Authority does not control or regulate airspace, aircraft operations, aircraft noise levels, airlines schedules, airline fleet mix or local land-use zoning:

• The federal government has exclusive sovereignty of U.S. airpspace.  The Federal Aviation Administration is solely responsible for managing the National Airspace System including all aircraft flight paths and altitudes.  The only federal restrictions imposed on commercial aircraft operating over populated neighborhoods include:
  • Minimum Altitudes:  This restriction does not apply to arriving and departing aircraft.
  • Federal Prohibited Airspace:  White House, U.S. Naval Observatory, U.S. National Mall.
• The Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990 limits U.S. airports from imposing new noise-based operational restrictions on quieter (stage 3) aircraft, including limits on airport hours of operation, number of aircraft operations or aircraft noise levels.
• Airlines are responsible for managing their individual flight schedules and aircraft fleet mix.
• Local government jurisdictions are responsible for all land-use zoning around airports.

Airports Authority's Noise Information Office:

The Airports Authority operates a Noise Information Office to address aircraft noise concerns and to help residents understand the facts, science and regulations associated with aircraft noise.  The Noise Information Office responds to questions, complaints, monitors aircraft operations and noise levels in the community, and meets frequently with inividuals, groups, elected officials, airline representatives and the FAA to discuss airport operations.

The Noise Information Office is available to discuss noise concerns during normal business hours:

• Monday - Friday.  8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Contact Info:
  • Email:       [email protected]
  • Phone:      703-417-1204 
  • Address:    Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
                      1 Aviation Circle    
                      Noise Information Office, MA-15
                      Washington, D.C.  20001