News/Commentary

Sean Duffy takes charge, announces FAA to restrict helicopter traffic around Reagan National

February 1, 2025 | | Print Article

The return of accountability had one of President Donald Trump’s cabinet members taking decisive action in the wake of Washington, D.C.’s tragic midair collision.

As success-filled as the opening days of the new administration had been, they were not without testing as American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter resulting in the deaths of 67 men, women and children. Instead of vapid statements and promises of investigations, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was quick to act Friday to prevent another such tragedy from happening in the immediate future.

Transparently detailed on X, Duffy provided an image outlining the airspace around Reagan Airport that would now be restricted from helicopter traffic and said, “With the support of @POTUS and in consultation with [Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth], effective today, the @FAANews will restrict helicopter traffic around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport…Today’s decision will immediately help secure the airspace near Reagan Airport, ensuring the safety of airplane and helicopter traffic.

“This is part of the @USDOT’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding our nation’s skies and upholding the highest standards of air travel safety,” he went on. “We will continue to support @POTUS’ directive to achieve uncompromised aviation safety. The American people deserve full confidence in our aviation system and today’s action is a significant step towards restoring that trust.”

The secretary listed the restricted areas as extending from the Memorial Bridge to South Capitol Street Bridge — save for the Tidal Basin — from Haines Point to Wilson Bridge and anywhere over Reagan Airport.

Responding to the decision, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom was among those applauding the leadership of the Trump administration as he said in a statement, “We are all hurting as we continue to grieve the loss of our passengers and team members. I thank President Trump for his leadership on aviation safety. I applaud him, Secretary Duffy and the Administration for taking quick and decisive action today to restrict helicopter activity around DCA.”

“In the days ahead, we will work tirelessly with the Administration and leaders in Congress to make our aviation system even safer, including by increasing investments in infrastructure, technology and personnel,” added Isom.

By comparison, after four years rife with train derailments, mass flight cancelations, safety concerns, port strikes and myriad other infrastructure issues, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was getting ridiculed for a woke cleansing of his social media profile, removing pronouns from his bio amid speculation he is considering running to be Michigan’s next senator.

Prior to announcing the restrictions, and ahead of another tragedy involving the crash of a Learjet transporting a pediatric patient from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with Mexican nationals on board, Duffy had remarked, “This is not what I expected my first day on the job to be, but I do believe that God puts us exactly where we’re supposed to be.”

“Tonight, I met with some of the families who lost their loved ones in the plane and helicopter crash last night. Their pain is immeasurable. I can’t take away their pain, but I can do a very small part to help ease it by keeping my promise to get to the bottom of what happened and be 100% transparent about the results of the investigation. They have my word,” expressed the secretary. “My heart and the heart of the nation are with them tonight and in the difficult days ahead. May God bless them all.”

Kevin Haggerty
Latest posts by Kevin Haggerty (see all)

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

Latest Articles