Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center

The Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center is an air traffic control facility located in Leesburg, Virginia. It manages aircraft movements across a large region spanning several states and monitors flights at different altitudes as they travel through the airspace.

The facility was established to manage growing air traffic in a densely populated region. It became one of the largest operations of its kind in the United States, handling thousands of flight movements daily.

The Federal Aviation Administration maintains strict operational standards at Washington ARTCC, where controllers follow precise protocols for coordinating flights in densely populated regions.

The facility is not open for public visits as it is a secure operational location. Those interested in aviation can find nearby museums and visitor centers that provide information about air traffic control and flight operations.

The facility oversees airspace affecting several of the nation's busiest airports, connecting millions of passengers daily. This responsibility makes it one of the highest-traffic control zones in North America.

GPS coordinates: 39.10160,-77.54290

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:00