Flights coming and going from the nation’s capital will be suspended Thursday during President Trump’s Fourth of July celebration.
Operations will be halted at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport between 6:15 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. during Trump’s speech at the Lincoln Memorial and a ceremonial flyover of military aircraft, the Federal Aviation Administration said Tuesday.
Flights will again be suspended from 9 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. for the annual fireworks display. The fireworks are being launched from West Potomac Park and behind the Lincoln Memorial, according to the National Park Service.
Dulles International Airport and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport will not be affected, the FAA said.
“Incredible Flyovers & biggest ever Fireworks!” Trump tweeted Tuesday morning.
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
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
An official told CNN the closure was unprecedented for Fourth of July events. The last time the runways were closed was in 2015 for a commemorative flight of planes from World War II.
