Washington, D.C.’s Ronald Reagan National Airport will slam its runways shut for over three hours on June 14, as a grand military parade celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary—and coinciding with President Trump’s 79th birthday—brings tanks, helicopters, and fireworks to the capital. With flight waivers from major airlines and road closures snarling traffic, travelers are bracing for chaos, while locals question the event’s cost and timing, wondering if patriotism is worth the gridlock.

The Federal Aviation Administration will halt all flights at Reagan from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. to accommodate 50 Army helicopters, including Apaches and Black Hawks, soaring over Constitution Avenue, followed by a 9:45 p.m. fireworks show. The parade, featuring 6,600 troops and 150 vehicles, stretches from 23rd to 15th Street, with the Army’s Golden Knights parachuting onto the Ellipse. Cirium data shows 104 flights—65 arrivals, 39 departures—are scheduled during the closure, affecting thousands. American Airlines, a Reagan hub, is adding larger planes and rerouting to Dulles and Baltimore, while United, Delta, and Southwest offer fee-free rebooking through June 16. “We’re doing our best to keep folks moving,” an American spokesperson said. The parade’s $25–45 million price tag, per Army estimates, stirs debate amid social program cuts.

A January midair collision between an American Airlines jet and an Army Black Hawk, killing 67, looms large, with the FAA citing safety for the restrictions. Travelers face headaches: Alicia Smith, a D.C. wedding guest, dodged delays with a morning flight, but others aren’t so lucky. “I’m stuck rebooking—it’s a mess,” said Arlington nurse Clara Vong. Metro is urged over driving, as the Potomac River closes from Hains Point to Key Bridge. Small businesses near Reagan, like a coffee cart, expect 20% sales drops from fewer travelers. Analyst Rajiv Patel said, “It’s a spectacle, but the cost to taxpayers and travelers feels steep.” A June 2025 poll shows 60% support the parade, but 55% worry about disruptions.

The closure could delay 116 flights, per NBC, impacting D.C.’s $10 billion tourism industry. Small carriers like Alaska, canceling a San Francisco flight, face tighter margins. Critics argue the parade’s alignment with Trump’s birthday smacks of political showmanship, especially after a 1991 parade’s $12 million road damage. If delays spill over, airlines could lose $5 million daily. The FAA’s temporary flight restrictions, expanding D.C.’s already tight airspace, aim to prevent another tragedy, but some question if military-civilian coordination is robust enough.

Airlines are notifying passengers, and Dulles, 45 minutes from D.C., is a key alternative. Travelers should check flights via apps like FlightAware. The parade’s pageantry may lift spirits, but for those grounded, it’s a costly pause. “It’s history, but I just want to get home,” Vong said. As D.C. prepares, the balance between celebration and disruption hangs in the air.web:0,1,5,9,10,12,14,15,16,19,23post:1,2,3,4,5