Why New DC Flights Were Approved Despite Congested Airspace Concerns

The airspace around Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) is one of the most restricted in the country. The airport’s proximity to the National Capitol, the White House, and a range of federal buildings makes it very congested. Last week’s mid-air crash involving an American Airlines commercial flight and a military helicopter has raised serious concerns among policymakers and aviation authorities about air traffic around the airport.