Reagan National Airport will start the new year with a capability it has lacked since 2005: receiving general aviation flights, such as charters and private planes, that have taken off from Dulles International.

The federal Transportation Security Administration allows only general aviation from airports designated as “gateway” facilities to land at other airports. Starting today, Dulles will become a gateway, joining 17 other airports across the country. The program, which began in 2005, seeks to ensure that private and charter planes have strict security levels similar to those of commercial airlines.