Flight Attendants Union raises safety concerns over Trump's 250‑Foot Washington arch
The Association of Flight Attendants‑CWA says the proposed 250‑foot triumphal arch on the final approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport creates safety issues linked to a 2025 crash, while the FAA says it does not pose a hazard if marked appropriately.
Union safety concerns
President Sara Nelson of the Association of Flight Attendants‑CWA said the 250‑foot arch compounds safety concerns that have not been addressed since a deadly January 2025 crash over the Potomac River that killed 67 people. The union, which represents 55,000 flight attendants across 20 airlines, flagged the issue publicly.
Proposed military complex
Nelson also criticized President Donald Trump’s plan to convert the memorial arch into a “top grade military complex” capable of hosting drones, snipers and storing ammunition.
Regulatory and legal actions
The arch received early approval from the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, whose members were all appointed by Trump. A group of three veterans and an architectural historian sued, arguing that the project requires congressional approval.
FAA marking recommendations
The Federal Aviation Administration said the arch would not pose a hazard to aircraft but should be “appropriately marked with a non‑standard eternal flame on top of the structure and floodlight projectors pointed towards the arch to make it noticeable.”
Additional developments
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced that excavation work on the site in Memorial Circle would begin within weeks. A National Park Service assessment noted the arch could disrupt the historical significance of nearby sites, yet it was approved.
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