Big-budget plans for an elaborate military parade on Saturday, June 14 will bring flight disruptions to Reagan National Airport.
A fireworks display and planned flyovers along the parade route are expected to bring a ground stop to National Airport that evening, according to the airport’s website.
“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,” an announcement says. “Customers with flight reservations for the evening of June 14 should check the status of their flights directly with their airline.”
The airport hasn’t said how extensive the disruption will be. According to The Washington Post, National Airport is expected to be “severely disrupted” from 6-9:30 p.m., with about 100 flights held at their departure airports and delayed an average of three hours.
The announcement notes that the parade, which celebrates the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary and coincides with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday, “may significantly impact” vehicle traffic as well as air travel.
At this point, it’s still unclear what that impact will look like in Arlington — or whether any part of the parade will actually take place in the county.
A permit application from late March proposed assembling the parade in the Pentagon’s north parking lot and proceeding north on Washington Blvd. The procession would then cross into D.C. at Arlington Memorial Bridge and continue along the National Mall.
Right now, however, there’s some indication that the parade — which is estimated to cost between $25 million and $40 million, in part depending on how much damage the tanks do to public streets — could be less than half the original proposed length and take place exclusively in D.C.
Both the parade’s website and the U.S. Army’s website list the event as running only on Constitution Avenue NW between 23rd Street NW in front of the Lincoln Memorial and 15th Street NW in front of the White House.
While the original route was about 2.2 miles, this route would be less than a mile long and would remain in the vicinity of other festivities that the Army is planning on the National Mall throughout the day.
On the other hand, the Pentagon Force Protection Agency announced this afternoon (Friday) that the Pentagon’s north parking lot will be closed tomorrow through Tuesday, June 17 for the Army’s celebrations. The agency advised people to “expect military vehicles” in that area this week.
🚨ALERT: All vehicles must be removed from Pentagon North Parking Lot (lanes 49 – 63) by 6 a.m. tomorrow, June 7. Lot closures will last until June 17 for the 250th Army Birthday. Expect military vehicles near the #Pentagon this week and check the PFPA page for further updates! pic.twitter.com/nPj4l9Apl9
— Pentagon Force Protection Agency (@PFPAOfficial) June 6, 2025
The parade is expected to last from 6:30-7:30 p.m., with fireworks beginning at 9:45 p.m.
The U.S. Army had not returned a request for comment by publication time.
The Arlington County Police Department declined to comment on whether any parade-related road closures are planned in Arlington.
“Arlington County remains in conversations with our regional partners regarding the event and the Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) will increase police staffing in Arlington on June 14 to ensure public safety,” police spokesperson Ashley Savage told ARLnow. “ACPD is not the lead agency for this event and we encourage you to be on the lookout for additional details from the event organizer.”
