Fourth of July Flight Forecast

The FAA is preparing for the busiest Fourth of July week we’ve seen in 15 years! We are anticipating a total of more than 300,000 flights throughout the week. Be sure to pack safe if you’re flying for the holiday, and remember, fireworks don’t fly.

FAA Weather Squad

The FAA’s Weather Squad posts a daily video on X highlighting weather conditions across the national airspace that could affect flight operations. Our Weather Squad is comprised of Air Traffic Watch Officers from the Joint Air Traffic Operations Center, meteorologists from our National Weather Service unit, and other FAA personnel.

This summer, we are welcoming a guest Weather Squad star once a week starting today! This week’s guest is Meteorologist Nick Kosir from Fox Weather, also known as The Dancing Weatherman. He’s here to give us the rest of the week’s weather and how it might affect flights across the U.S.

New Mexico Drone Testing Footage

The FAA is conducting drone detection testing near Santa Teresa, New Mexico, through June 27. Watch our video of the New Mexico testing.

In Case You Missed It

• The NTSB this week released its probable cause determination for the Jan. 5, 2024, Alaska Airlines door plug accident. The NTSB also issued 10 recommendations to the FAA. The FAA takes NTSB recommendations seriously and will carefully evaluate them. Our response and detailed information about our enhanced Boeing oversight is on the FAA website.
• Owning a drone can be fun, but make sure you learn the rules of the sky before taking off. See our latest drone post on X to learn more.

Advanced Air Mobility 

Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau announced from the Paris Air Show that the FAA and aviation authorities from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom are collaborating on an Advanced Air Mobility roadmap to ensure the safe rollout of eVTOLs. The roadmap will foster collaboration, promote innovation and streamline the certification and validation process for new aircraft types. 

Capping and Tunneling 

Air traffic controllers use a variety of strategies to get travelers to their destinations safely, including something we call “capping and tunneling.” Capping limits an aircraft’s altitude to avoid poor weather conditions or congested airspace while tunneling uses corridors to bypass congested areas. These strategies enhance safety and efficiency across U.S. airspace. Watch our video explaining how capping and tunneling works. 

For Travelers – fly.faa.gov 

Need airport information before you fly? Be sure to visit fly.faa.gov and reach out to your airline. Traveling with electronics? Pack lithium batteries in your carry-on luggage and keep them near you onboard the aircraft. Lithium batteries can overheat and spark an on-board fire. Immediately notify flight crew if your battery or device is overheating. 

In Case You Missed It 

• The FAA is conducting drone detection testing near Santa Teresa, New Mexico, through June 27. This is the third in a series of off-airport testing, the first taking place in Alaska and the second in Cape May, New Jersey. The FAA selected the New Mexico location for its hot and arid climate. Next up is North Dakota and Mississippi later this year. These tests will help determine the effectiveness of these technologies and whether they might interfere with FAA or aircraft navigation systems. 
• The FAA recently published modifications to the helicopter zones and routes around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). We continue to assess safety data and areas of risk at airports with high volumes of mixed traffic. 
• Be sure to watch our latest From the Flight Deck video alerting pilots and operators to a runway incursion risk on the north LAX airfield. 

Surface Safety Spotlight – Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) 

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is one of the nation’s busiest commercial airports. This short video highlights a runway incursion hazard where pilots exiting Runway 24R, particularly via taxiways V and W, may inadvertently cross the Runway 24L hold-short line. There is no center taxiway between parallel runways 24R and 24L, and the runways are closer than pilots may expect. In addition, pilots must ensure that they fully clear Runway 24R when exiting. The FAA created this video outlining recent taxiway changes to help pilots mitigate this hazard. 

Army’s 250th Anniversary Celebration 

The Army’s 250th anniversary celebration is this weekend in Washington, D.C. and will include a flyover and fireworks on Saturday, June 14. The celebration will impact operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). To ensure safety and security during the celebration, the FAA will issue Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) for the Washington, D.C., area. The FAA will also implement traffic management initiatives (TMI) at DCA before, during, and after the event. These TMIs will stop all arrivals and departures at DCA during the peak of the celebration. Travelers are urged to check with their airline and visit fly.faa.gov for the latest updates. 

For Passengers – Camping  

If you’re traveling by airplane to your camping destination, it’s important to know what’s allowed and prohibited in your bag.  

• Camp stove purged of fuel – ✅ 
• Bear spray aerosol –🚫 
• Headlamp spare lithium batteries ✅ carry-on bag only 

Know before you go! Visit faa.gov/packsafe and NPS.gov to plan your trip and prepare for a safe adventure. 

In Case You Missed It 

• DOT and FAA host industry leaders to hear about our plan to build a brand new air traffic control system 
• FAA Issues Final Order on Flight Arrival Rate at Newark Liberty International Airport

Building the Air Traffic System of the Future 

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and the FAA are calling on world-class innovators to help build a new, state-of-the-art air traffic control system. We’re seeking an integrator to manage this effort, including acquiring capabilities, and deploying the new technologies.  As a first step, the FAA is seeking information about how best to implement this new air traffic system. This bold effort will shape the future of American Aviation. Interested companies can learn more about this plan by attending our Industry Days June 10-12. 

Newark Updates 

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced on June 2 that construction on Runway 4-Left/22-Right at Newark Liberty International Airport was completed 13 days ahead of schedule. The runway is open only for departures until the FAA finishes flight checks to ensure landing aids are operational and the runway is safe for arrivals. The airport will continue to operate with a maximum arrival rate of 28 aircraft an hour until those checks are complete. After that, the airport’s maximum arrival rate will be 34 aircraft an hour. It should be fully operational for both departures and arrivals the week of June 9. 

Hurricanes 

This week marks the start of hurricane season, which officially began June 1 and ends November 30. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts between 13 and 19 named storms for 2025, which means now is a good time to learn more about how to prepare.  

Hurricanes typically start out as a low-pressure system that moves through the warm ocean waters of the tropics. The warm water fuels rain and thunderstorm activity, allowing the system unlimited access to the power it needs to organize and develop. The tropical wave becomes a tropical storm when sustained wind speeds reach 39 miles per hour. At this stage, the storm is given its predetermined name. This year’s storm name list begins with Andrea and ends with Wendy. Once wind speeds within the storm reach 74 miles per hour, the system is officially a Category One hurricane. On a scale of one through five, hurricanes are rated based on maximum sustained windspeeds. Hurricanes are considered major when they reach category three status, with wind speeds between 111 and 129 miles per hour. 

Hurricane Hunters 

While the FAA prepares all year for natural disasters, researchers at NOAA spring into action as soon as a hurricane forms. Hurricane Hunters fly directly into the storms to gather critical data that can improve forecasts and help the public prepare. NOAA has two Lockheed P-3 Orions to handle this task, one named “Kermit” and one named “Miss Piggy.” Scientists aboard the aircraft use instruments to measure pressure, humidity, temperature, wind direction and wind speed. The Hurricane Hunters’ wind-speed measurements are often how hurricanes are upgraded or downgraded in category. 

The FAA is Prepared 

When storms arise, the FAA is ready. We use a variety of strategies to get travelers to their destinations safely. NOAA provides critical forecast data that helps the FAA prepare for any impacts weather may have on our operations. Our highly trained air traffic controllers work around the clock, in different types of facilities, to orchestrate the safe and efficient movement of thousands of flights each day. We also created new ultra-high sectors at the Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center that reduce delays by accommodating more aircraft. 

For Passengers 

It’s important to keep portable chargers, cellphones and tablets with you and easily accessible in carry-on bags. See our latest post on battery safety, showing what can happen when battery banks overheat. Monitor the status of any commercial airport across the National Airspace System at fly.faa.gov. Follow the FAA on X for timely updates and Weather Squad videos straight from the JATOC. These five tips can help travelers reach their destinations safely and smoothly. 

In Case You Missed It 

Flight Attendant Appreciation Day was Saturday, May 31. See our post on X recognizing Ellen Church, one of the first flight attendants. As aviation’s first responders, flight attendants are highly trained in emergency response and ensure the safety of passengers. Thank you to all flight attendants! 

The FAA kicked off what we expect will be our busiest summer in 15 years this past Memorial Day weekend. We saw almost 54,000 flights last Thursday and those numbers will keep climbing throughout the summer. Cancellations over the weekend were less than one percent and delays were less than three percent. Nearly 60 percent of those delays were due to weather. While most of the country is starting to get their first taste of summer, we at the FAA have been preparing for months to handle the increase in travel.

Joint Air Traffic Operations Center (JATOC)

The FAA’s Joint Air Traffic Operations Center works hard every day to ensure the safe and efficient flow of air traffic across the National Airspace System. When severe weather hits, the dedicated experts at the JATOC quickly plan routes around the storms and protect equipment and FAA personnel before, during, and after the event. Learn more about what the JATOC does to ensure the safety of air travel by watching our newest YouTube video.

Myth-Buster: Extreme Heat and Flying

Have you ever flown out of Phoenix or Las Vegas and experienced delays on a perfectly clear day? Travelers will sometimes joke that it’s so hot outside the airplane tires are melting. This is an urban legend; your aircraft’s tires are not melting. Instead, some simple science is getting in the way of your escape from the heat.

Because hot air is less dense than cold air, it’s harder for an aircraft’s wings to generate lift. The airplane can still fly, but it requires a longer takeoff roll to generate the lift it needs. While the FAA doesn’t cancel flights due to extreme heat, airlines and flight crews must follow guidelines that specify the maximum safe temperature for an aircraft to operate.

Your mid-afternoon flight is more likely to get delayed than an earlier flight because peak temperatures hit between 3 and 4:30 p.m., which coincides with one of the busiest times of day at airports. Your best bet is leaving early in the morning so those hot summer afternoons don’t disrupt your departure!

System Updates and Safety Messaging

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced his plan to update the air traffic control system. Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau wants the flying public to know that while our current air traffic system needs updating, air travel is still the safest form of transportation. If necessary, the FAA slows down air traffic to ensure safety within the National Airspace System. Learn more about how the FAA is handling the issues facing Newark.

For Passengers

Monitor the status of any commercial airport across the National Airspace System at fly.faa.gov. Follow the FAA on X for timely updates and Weather Squad videos straight from the JATOC. These five tips can help travelers reach their destinations safely and smoothly. See our latest post on battery safety.