, · DCA
Recent News
Updated Mar 1, 2026Reagan National Airport experienced flight disruptions on February 27, 2026, as fog triggered a ground stop until 9:45 a.m. and departure delays averaging 75 minutes. A ground delay remained in effect until 8:59 p.m. due to low visibility conditions.
Reagan National Airport confirmed its lowest air traffic numbers in three years for calendar year 2025, though passenger totals remained above pre-pandemic levels. Despite the decline at DCA, the combined Reagan and Dulles system broke records with 53.9 million passengers in 2025.
On February 18, 2026, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy visited Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to highlight the upgrade from paper to electronic flight strips in its air traffic control tower. DCA is one of 15 airports nationwide to deploy the upgraded technology, funded by $12.5 billion in air traffic control funding.
The FAA issued an Interim Final Rule on January 23, 2026, making permanent the flight restrictions around Reagan National Airport that prohibit certain helicopter operations when Runways 15 and 33 are in use. The rule addresses safety recommendations from the NTSB following the January 2025 midair collision that killed 67 people.
Airport Profile
Key Financial Data (FY 2024)
Enplaned Passengers (T-100)
Cost per Enplanement (CPE)
Revenue
Expense
Ratemaking Overview
Net residual allocation: aeronautical net remaining revenues (after non-aeronautical revenue offsets) allocated among signatory airlines proportional to operations, terminal area occupied, and ramp usage at DCA
Settlement & True-Up
Monthly billing with annual true-up; DCA settlement coordinated with IAD on system basis
Annual reconciliation: actual costs vs. estimates; adjustments effective April 1 of following fiscal year
Extraordinary Coverage Protection (ECP)
Not available
Landing Fee Methodology
Base landing fee of $5.75 per 1,000 lbs subject to annual adjustment per net residual calculation; allocated to signatory airlines
Terminal Rental Rate
Terminal rents charged per rentable square foot of assigned space on net residual basis; DCA rates higher than IAD due to constrained terminal capacity
Common Use & Gate Allocation
Additional Bonds Test
Maximum Annual Debt Service on all outstanding bonds including proposed new bonds must not exceed 75% of projected Net Revenues for the fiscal year of issuance, or alternative test based on historical coverage
Rate Covenant
Airports Authority will fix and adjust fees and charges to produce Net Revenues at least sufficient for the larger of: (a) amounts needed for debt service deposits, reserve funds, and subordinated obligations, or (b) not less than 125% of Annual Debt Service on all Bonds
Flow of Funds
Net Revenues → Senior Debt Service (Principal + Interest Accounts) → Debt Service Reserve Fund (Common Reserve Account) → Subordinated Bond Funds → Remaining Net Revenues (operations/capital)
Source Documents
Airline Use Agreements
Rate Books
Source: FAA CATS Form 5100-127, DOT T-100 Market Data, Airport Official Statements · Hub classification: FAA CY 2024 Enplanement Data · Prepared by DWU Consulting