U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is formalizing permanent restrictions for helicopters and powered-lift from operating in certain areas near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), unless these aircraft are conducting essential operations. These restrictions were put in place immediately following the American Airlines 5342 crash and supported by the NTSB’s preliminary recommendations.
“After that horrific night in January, this Administration made a promise to do whatever it takes to secure the skies over our nation’s capital and ensure such a tragedy would never happen again. Today’s announcement reaffirms that commitment,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “The safety of the American people will always be our top priority. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with the NTSB on any additional actions.”
The FAA published an Interim Final Rule (IFR) that will significantly reduce midair-collision risks and implement a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) safety recommendation to prohibit certain helicopter operations when Runways 15 and 33 at DCA are in use.
“We took decisive action immediately following the January 2025 midair collision to reduce risk in the airspace,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “This is a key step toward ensuring these improvements remain permanent and we’re continuing to work with the NTSB to ensure an accident like this never happens again.”
While the interim final rule goes into effect tomorrow, the public is invited to submit written comments, which the FAA will consider before issuing a final rule.
Additional Information:
The FAA took immediate action to restrict mixed traffic around DCA and made permanent helicopter route changes after the NTSB recommendations. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and the FAA didn’t stop there – taking additional actions for DCA to address operations, procedures, and personnel, including:
- Established procedures to eliminate helicopter and fixed-wing mixed traffic near the airport
- Closed Route 4 between Hains Point and the Wilson Bridge
- Revised agreements with the military to require ADS-B Out broadcasting
- Discontinued take offs from the Pentagon until the FAA and Department of War updated procedures and fixed technical issues at the Pentagon Heliport
- Eliminated the use of visual separation within 5 nautical miles of DCA
- Published modifications to helicopter zones and routes moving them farther away from DCA flight paths
- Increased support, oversight and staffing at DCA
In October 2025, the FAA updated Helicopter routes and zones at DCA, Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/ Washington International Airport (BWI) .
The FAA previously implemented temporary flight restrictions (TFR) around DCA. To make the restrictions contained in the TFRs permanent, the FAA issued an IFR which is set to publish on January 23, 2026, and will take effect immediately. The public is invited to submit comments on the IFR and the FAA will later publish a Final Rule in response to those comments.