FAA to Pause Reagan National Flights for Freedom 250 Grand Prix

The Federal Aviation Administration will temporarily suspend all flight operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on August 23 to accommodate the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, a major IndyCar race celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States. The pause is scheduled to last for three hours, from 10:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. local time, and is intended to support planned flyovers and ensure safe air traffic movement during the event.

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix is a free, two-day motorsports event taking place on August 22 and 23. It marks the first time an NTT IndyCar Series race will be held on the streets of Washington, D.C., with a 1.7-mile, seven-turn course circling the National Mall. The track will run along iconic stretches including Pennsylvania Avenue, Independence Avenue, and areas near the U.S. Capitol and the Smithsonian museums. Race organizer Bud Denker, president of Penske Corporation, said hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend, with over 280,000 free tickets already distributed out of 288,000 available.

The FAA stated it has been coordinating with stakeholders to manage air traffic during the event. Officials cautioned that the flight...