By Ashley Brasfield, Daily Caller News Foundation | May 28, 2025
Washington’s Reagan National Airport (DCA) has announced its celebration of 50 Years of Pride amid recent safety concerns following a deadly crash and other incidents.
In the wake of a fatal January crash that killed 67 people and multiple collisions and other incidents, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) and DCA both made an announcement to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Pride in Washington, D.C.
“Join the momentous celebrations as the nation’s capital is painted with pride, featuring a variety of events to inspire, empower and connect the international LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning) community and their allies,” the DCA announcement read.
“[W]e proudly recognize and celebrate the experiences, achievements, and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community in the continuous quest for equality,” it continued.
When asked by the Daily Caller about the timing of the post — months after the January collision — a spokesperson from the MWAA replied: “Several months each year, the Airports Authority observes cultural events recognizing Black history, women’s history, Hispanic heritage, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, as well as Pride month.”
The spokesperson added, “Our website post recognizing World Pride is timed with the event that is currently underway, bringing many visitors to the region.”
DCA and Dulles International Airport have both installed indoor signage for the 2025 Pride celebration, screenshots posted online by the airports show.
In the aftermath of the fatal crash, renewed attention was drawn to a class-action lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration alleging that the agency rejected approximately 1,000 applicants for air traffic controller positions in pursuit of diversity hiring goals.
When asked by the Caller about the MWAA’s announcement, the FAA provided the following statement: “The FAA took swift action to improve safety around Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) after the Jan. 29 midair collision. Read more here.”
Since the crash, there have been multiple incidents at DCA, which is governed by the MWAA.
One occurred on April 10, when U.S. representatives said their plane’s wing was clipped by another aircraft on a DCA runway.
More recently, on May 1, a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter flying through restricted Washington, D.C., airspace prompted air traffic controllers to order two commercial airliners conduct go-arounds, an FAA email said. The aircraft reportedly flew at a dangerously close distance to the helicopter.
Back in April 2024, two planes almost collided at DCA after air traffic controllers appeared to direct them toward one another
In addition to the recent incidents, FAA official Franklin McIntosh confirmed on May 14 that a hotline between DCA and the Pentagon has been out of service since March 2022.
When reviewed by the Caller in early February, Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) records from 1988 to 2025 revealed 220 self-reported airborne conflicts and near misses. Thirty of these incidents were between airplanes and helicopters.
The Caller reached out to the House Aviation Subcommittee, Republican Texas Rep. Troy Nehls and the Department of Transportation (DOT) for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.
Ashley Brasfield is a reporter at the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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