On September 11, 2001, the federal government grounded all commercial flights across the country. It was the first time the skies over the U.S. were bare of any non-military aircraft since the invention of the aircraft in the early 1900s. A few days later, flights resumed at all airports - all except one: Washington D.C.'s Reagan National. The Secret Service felt the airport's location just a few miles from the White House and the Capitol made it too easy a target for potential hijackers.
This piece tells the story of what the closure of Reagan National meant to the Washington D.C. region, and of the political gamesmanship that led to the airport's eventual reopening.
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Piece Description
On September 11, 2001, the federal government grounded all commercial flights across the country. It was the first time the skies over the U.S. were bare of any non-military aircraft since the invention of the aircraft in the early 1900s. A few days later, flights resumed at all airports - all except one: Washington D.C.'s Reagan National. The Secret Service felt the airport's location just a few miles from the White House and the Capitol made it too easy a target for potential hijackers.
This piece tells the story of what the closure of Reagan National meant to the Washington D.C. region, and of the political gamesmanship that led to the airport's eventual reopening.
Broadcast History
Aired on WAMU during Morning Edition - 9/9/10
Additional Credits
Engineering assistance from Jonathan Charry at WAMU and Bob Kieve at KLIV.
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