U.S. Federal Aviation Administration sent this bulletin at 07/01/2026 12:50 PM EDT
Week of June 29, 2026
Flying for the Fourth
As the country prepares to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, the FAA is gearing up for the busiest Independence Day travel week in 15 years. On Thursday – our peak travel day – we are expecting to manage nearly 52,500 flights.
Be sure to pack safe and remember that fireworks don’t fly, and neither do unruly passengers. Keep those lithium batteries in your carry-on luggage and within reach during the flight. Check with your airline before leaving your house for delay information. Visit fly.faa.gov for the status of any U.S. airport.
Have a safe and happy weekend celebrating America’s 250th birthday!
FAA Statement on July Fourth Operations at DCA
The FAA has been planning and coordinating with stakeholders for months to help ensure the safe and efficient movement of air traffic during celebrations of America's 250th birthday, including the iconic flyovers and fireworks. As part of that effort, the agency will implement traffic management initiatives at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) before, during, and after certain events.
Flight operations at DCA are expected to be temporarily paused from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 3 and from noon to 11:59 p.m. on July 4 to support Independence Day events. These times are subject to change. Travelers should check with their airline for the latest flight status.
Santa Barbara Controllers Get State-of-the-Art Training System
The Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) control tower just got the first Tower Simulation System (TSS) funded by the One Big Beautiful Bill.
The TSS allows air traffic controllers to practice in a controlled environment. The simulators project real airport layouts to familiarize controllers with airport-specific operations and scenarios. TSS can speed up training times by almost 30 percent.
“The new Tower Simulation System (TSS) is a game changer for controller training at Santa Barbara control tower,” said Jeffrey Allen, SBA Air Traffic Manager. “For the first time, without leaving the facility, we'll be able to immerse trainees in highly realistic scenarios that replicate the airport's unique operating environment, allowing them to build experience and confidence before working live traffic. This technology improves the quality and efficiency of our training, supports proactive safety initiatives, and ultimately benefits the flying public through an even safer and more efficient operation. It's an investment not only in our workforce, but in the future of aviation safety.”
This week’s guest Weather Squad forecaster is Mike Thomas with Fox 5 out of the Nation’s Capital. Mike is forecasting above-average temperatures for America’s big birthday bash this weekend, so be sure to stay hydrated and find a shady spot if your plans bring you to the National Mall. The West Coast maintains those moderate temperatures while the rest of the country will see sweltering heat, with storms out in the Midwest and East Coast possible.
