The move follows federal investigators's call for a ban on helo flights on the route, citing a string of near misses in recent years.

The closure of the helicopter route near the airport makes permanent the restrictions put in place after Jan. 29 midair collision.

Helicopters will be permanently restricted from flying near Washington, D.C.'s airport on the same route where a passenger jet and an Army helicopter collided in midair, killing 67 people, the Federal Aviation Administration said Friday.