Following Wednesday's tragic collision near Reagan National Airport, US Senators who had previously expressed concerns about airspace congestion in the area refrained from attributing the incident to heavy traffic. Senator Mark Warner emphasized the ongoing issue of busy airspace around the airport, stating that questions would be raised at the appropriate time once more information is available.
Senator Warner, along with Senators Tim Kaine, Chris Van Hollen, and Ben Cardin, had opposed a measure last year that aimed to increase long-distance service at Reagan National. Senator Van Hollen had highlighted safety and congestion concerns regarding the proposal, which was ultimately included in a law reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration despite objections from DC-area lawmakers.
Senator Kaine echoed the sentiment of waiting for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to provide insights into the collision, emphasizing the importance of understanding the circumstances before speculating on the causes.
The tragic incident has reignited discussions about airspace management and safety measures around Reagan National Airport, prompting lawmakers to revisit their concerns and advocate for enhanced regulations to prevent similar accidents in the future.
