Reagan National Airport in Washington is expected to halt takeoffs and landings for up to several hours on June 14 to accommodate military flyovers, parachute jumps and fireworks on the National Mall that are part of the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday celebration, which would disrupt travel for thousands of commercial passengers.

The celebration, which coincides with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday, is scheduled to include flights by 50 Army helicopters above a military parade featuring tanks and troops. The Army’s Golden Knights will parachute onto the Ellipse near the White House and present an American flag to Trump. A fireworks display is also planned.

The activity will require the Federal Aviation Administration to suspend passenger traffic at the airport, according to the Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority; the airport is across the Potomac River from the Mall. On Jan. 29, a midair collision of an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a regional passenger jet on final approach over the river killed 67 people. An investigation continues while officials have pointed fingers over continued conflicts between military and civilian aircraft in the nearby airspace.

A notice on the website of the MWAA’s website notes that a scheduled military parade may “significantly impact vehicle and airline traffic” on June 14.

“To accommodate aircraft flyovers along the parade route, followed by a fireworks display, the Federal Aviation Administration is expected to suspend airline operations at DCA - affecting scheduled flights,” MWAA said. It said customers with flight reservations for the evening of June 14 should check the status of their flights directly with their airline. Neither the FAA nor the White House immediately responded to requests for comment Thursday.

There are 65 arrivals and 35 departures scheduled between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. June 14, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics firm.

Two people with knowledge of the discussions told The Washington Post that airlines are being notified about the closure but that the timing remains fluid. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly about the details. Precise hours of the closures depending on how the day’s activities play out and the weather, they said.

Under one scenario, the airport would be closed to arrivals beginning at 6 p.m. for a three- to four-hour span. Departures would be halted for two hours, possibly more depending on the weather. Another person briefed on the plan said if the wind allows planes to depart to the south, departures could be allowed. Flights bound for National could also be held at their origin airports, the person said.

More details are expected to be revealed at a news conference Monday, the people said.

Airlines said they have begun notifying passengers about the closure. Southwest Airlines said about 20 of its flights would be affected but that it did not anticipate any cancellations.

The birthday bash is expected to cost the Army between $25 million and $45 million, officials estimate. But the overall cost of the celebration for the entire government remains unclear.

Planning for the Army’s 250th celebration began in early 2024, months before Trump won a second term, said an Army official with knowledge of the event. The event was conceived as a stationary display, where people could walk along the Mall and see tactical vehicles and participate in activities including camouflage face painting and fitness test demonstrations, with recruiters on hand to answer questions.

But at some point, it appeared the White House learned of the celebration and became interested in expanding the event “to get this parade that President Trump has been wanting for a while,” an Army official with knowledge of the planning said. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss plans that have not been finalized.

Although plans for the Army’s birthday celebration have been in the works for about two years, Army spokesperson Steve Warren said, the parade was introduced this year, after the administration change. He said it grew out of discussions with stakeholders across the government.

Some federal workers also are being temporarily displaced to make room for about 5,000 participating service members who would be housed in downtown government office buildings, where they will sleep on cots.

The U.S. Agriculture Department last month directed some employees to work remotely for three weeks because one of its D.C. buildings are being used to house troops participating in the parade. The USDA’s South Building will be restricted to “essential employees” from June 1 to 20 and “maximum telework” is recommended for employees who work in the building, according to records reviewed by The Post.

The directive came as the Trump administration is cracking down on remote work flexibility for federal employees, with officials arguing that the practice promotes inefficiency.

“USDA has a long history of supporting the men and women of the Armed Forces, we have more than adequate capabilities to accommodate America’s finest. USDA has done so during the past two inaugurations; this is in part due to our ideal location on the National Mall and the capacity of the building itself,” a USDA spokesperson said in a statement, not responding to specific questions about how many staff were affected.

Alex Horton contributed to this report.

previous coverage

• Tanks and soldiers are coming to DC for the parade, and so is this dog
• Tanks, heavy vehicles on way to Washington as Army prepares for 250th anniversary celebration