DCA Air Safety Act
Sponsored By: Senator Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
Introduced
Summary
Reduces peak operational density at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). This bill would require a rapid cut in arrival rates, impose binding 30-minute interval caps, remove many slot exemptions, and create a permanent commission to oversee safety and capacity.
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- Passengers and travelers: Binding 30-minute interval caps would be set within 180 days, spreading flights across the day and likely changing peak-time availability.
- Airlines and slot holders: Airlines would lose 30 slot exemptions, including at least 26 beyond perimeter exemptions. Final lists must follow public notice and a 60-day comment period.
- Airport operations and oversight: The Airport Arrival Rate would be reduced to no more than 28 aircraft within 90 days. The bill would create a permanent Slot Exemption Evaluation Commission to study DCA operations and report regularly.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Cut DCA arrival rate and spacing
If enacted, this bill would require the FAA to assess DCA and reduce its Airport Arrival Rate to no more than 28 aircraft per 60 minutes within 90 days. The FAA would then convert that rate into binding 30‑minute interval caps within 180 days. The interval caps must evenly spread arrivals and departures each hour and prohibit clustering or banking within sub‑hours.
Remove 30 DCA slot exemptions
If enacted, this bill would require the FAA to permanently eliminate 30 slot exemptions at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. At least 26 of the 30 must be beyond‑perimeter exemptions. The FAA would publish a proposed list within 180 days, take 60 days of public comment, and publish a final list within 120 days after comments. The removals would occur over five years, with six exemptions removed each year from 2028 through 2032, though the FAA can delay removal of one or more exemptions for up to one year in any of the first four phase‑in years after public notice and comment.
New DCA slot oversight commission
If enacted, this bill would create the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Slot Exemption Evaluation Commission. Members would include the MWAA chair, the FAA Administrator, the Secretary of Defense, the Governors of Virginia and Maryland, and the Mayor of DC or their designees. The Commission must study DCA conditions and report to relevant House and Senate committees by December 31, 2028 and at least once every two years after that. It may get input from aviation experts, academics, and other airport authorities.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
VA • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
VA • D
Sponsored 9/14/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov