(Updated at 2:45 p.m.) Departures from Reagan National Airport are delayed as a result of a ground stop caused by an unauthorized drone in the area.
The ground stop went into effect around 1 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration website, though as of 1:45 p.m. it appears to have been lifted.
Departure delays were averaging 30 minutes as of 1:45 p.m. per the FAA.
The ground stop and delays follow reports of someone flying a drone in the area. Drone flights are generally prohibited in the airspace surrounding D.C. and in a manner that interferes with airport operations.
The Metropolitan Police Department’s helicopter was seen circling over part of Alexandria, south of the airport, apparently in search of the drone and its operator.
In addition to the departure delays, there have also been reports of arriving flights being diverted to Dulles International Airport.
Two flights now have diverted to IAD. Good chance there’s a few more.
— Chuck Decker (@Chuck_Decker55) July 21, 2022
As DCA seemingly is returning to normal operations…one thing to note…UAS/drone operators like this bonehead ruin recreational flying for everyone. The more this kind of crap happens, the more restrictive rules will get – even for the law abiding operators out there.
— Kenny Lorber (@KMLorbz) July 21, 2022
The airport said on social media that normal operations resumed at 2:15 p.m. following the earlier drone sighting.
Update: Normal operations resumed by 2:15 p.m.
— Reagan Airport (@Reagan_Airport) July 21, 2022
Matt Blitz and Alan Henney contributed to this report