Deadly Crash Revives Scrutiny Over Congested Washington Airspace

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport stands out among US aviation hubs, with complex and bewildering restrictions owing to its peculiar location: right in the middle of a congested urban environment, not far from the White House, the US Capitol and the Pentagon.

It’s the closest major commercial airport to Washington, DC, making it a favorite of lawmakers and power brokers, who have lobbied to add more routes to the already-strained facility. The airport boasts the country’s most active runway, feeding commercial planes into airspace jam-packed with other civilian and military aircraft, including helicopters.