Update: Thanks to your advocacy, last week Congress chose not to take up an amendment under FAA legislation that could disrupt the operational rules at Reagan National and jeopardize your flight access to Washington, D.C. Please check back in the future for additional updates as legislation is addressed in the U.S. Senate.

Reagan National Airport is governed by statutory controls that limit the number of slots (takeoffs and landings) and a perimeter that establishes how far an aircraft can travel as either an origin or destination. Generally, modifications to the number of slots or the perimeter at Reagan National require a change in federal law. Current controls help:

• Protect International Connectivity and Future Growth

Reagan National and Dulles International were designed to operate as an integrated system. Reagan National is too small to support long-haul international flights, wide body aircraft and additional capacity.

• Ensure Passenger Safety

The safety of passengers and aircraft, on such a small airfield with limited terminal capacity, means that slot controls will always be required at Reagan National.

• Protect Your Access to D.C.

Controlling the number of aircraft taking off and landing in a given hour protects passenger safety, but makes route planning a zero-sum game—airlines can’t add flights to a new destination without taking them from another. The perimeter ensures that smaller communities keep their connection to Washington, D.C. 

Thank you for your interest. There is currently no legislative action to be taken.