A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control center in Leesburg, Virginia, was recently evacuated after fumes from adhesive used for roofing work entered the air-conditioning system.
The evacuation resulted in flights being delayed for Baltimore-Washington International Marshall, Dulles International and Reagan National airports. Flights normally handled by the center were handled by other traffic control centers for safety reasons.
Flights are handled by three stages of controllers. Leesburg handles flights once they reach cruising altitude, between above 20,000 feet up to 39,000 feet. Airport controllers handle aircraft on the ground while FAA Terminal Radar Approach Control Facilities handle takeoffs and landings.
Industry trade organization Airlines for America (A4A) said the incident was a sign of a larger problem.
“This disruption underscores the dilapidated facilities, short staffing and lack of contingency planning that make the case for air traffic control modernization legislation that is being considered on Capitol Hill,” A4A President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio said. “It is an object example of why opponents of modernization should get their heads out of the sand.”
The incident should be a wakeup call for Congress, Calio said. Air traffic control is outdated and cannot adequately handle disruptions when they occur, he said.