Overview

• The FAA shifted BWI’s Route 12 north of I-95 and raised Dulles Route 7’s crossing altitude by 500 feet to increase spacing from fixed‑wing traffic.
• At Reagan National, helicopter Routes 1 and 5 remain limited to priority medical and law enforcement flights.
• The agency reduced the boundaries of DCA helicopter Zones 1, 2 and 5 and added clarifying notes to the Reagan helicopter chart.
• Officials issued the changes on the FAA’s regular 52‑day update cycle, describing them as precautionary steps to add buffer between aircraft types.
• The updates build on post-crash measures, including permanent route closures, agreements requiring ADS‑B Out for military helicopters, and earlier restrictions following a May 1 close call near the Pentagon.