FAA evaluates risks to flights near one of the country’s busiest airports from Trump’s giant ‘triumphal arch’, report claims

President Donald Trump’s giant “triumphal arch” is under evaluation by the Federal Aviation Administration for potential risks to flights near one of the country’s busiest airports, according to a new report.

The proposed 250-foot arch would be built at the end of Arlington Memorial Bridge, across from the Lincoln Memorial. The massive structure is expected to sit less than two miles from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, potentially posing a danger to flights into the D.C. area.

Trump’s Interior Department has requested a formal aeronautical study from the FAA for the arch, CNN reported Tuesday. According to federal regulations, the FAA must be notified of any construction more than 200 feet.

The FAA told the outlet it had begun the study. But it’s unclear how long it will take.

open image in gallery

The agency has said it attempts to finish a review like the one the Trump administration requested within 45 to 90 days, but it can take up to nine months, per CNN.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said last month that construction for the arch will begin this year as a “fitting way to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence.”

The Independent has reached out to the FAA and the National Parks Service, a division of the Interior Department, which reportedly submitted the request for FAA review, for comment.

open image in gallery

More than 800 flights were coming in and out of Reagan National Airport on Monday, according to the flight tracking site, FlightAware.

The bustling airport is located in an area that already proves challenging for pilots who have to navigate other D.C. landmarks such as the Washington Monument, which stands at about 555 feet tall.

In January 2025, an American Airlines flight collided with a Black Hawk helicopter while it was landing at Reagan National Airport, killing 67 people.

open image in gallery

Trump’s giant arch, which will be topped with a golden winged figure with a Lady Liberty-style torch and a crown flanked by two gilded eagles, is one of his many passion projects around Washington, D.C.

Another major project Trump has taken on is his grand ballroom at the White House, estimated to cost about $400 million, without accounting for security modifications.

The Trump administration had the East Wing hastily demolished last October to make way for the ballroom. The project has faced legal challenges, but remains underway.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies