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MNN US · March 13, 2026 · 1 min read

Chemical Smell Causes Ground Stops at Washington and Baltimore Airports

What happened: A chemical smell at an air traffic control centre led to ground stops at Washington, Baltimore, and Richmond airports. The Federal Aviation Administration said the disruption would last until at least 7 p.m.

Why it matters:

  • Flight operations were temporarily halted, causing delays for passengers and airlines.
  • Air traffic controllers were affected by the smell, impacting their ability to manage flights safely.

MNN Take: The FAA prioritised safety by pausing flights while investigating the source of the chemical smell, ensuring air traffic controllers could work without health risks.

Sources: NYTimes US