The FAA grounded departing flights nationwide because of communications problems
The Federal Aviation Administration grounded departing flights nationwide Friday afternoon because of communications problems at regional air traffic control centers, disrupting air travel across the country. The Guardian reported nearly 11,000 flights were delayed or canceled at airports nationwide as a result of the halt.
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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the issue affected 22 regional centers that direct planes between airports, and that FAA technicians were investigating. The Department of Homeland Security said there was no indication of a “nefarious attack,” The Guardian reported.
The FAA notice cited extraordinary circumstances and safety, directing departing traffic to remain grounded until further notice; inbound international flights would be handled case by case. The Associated Press said this was the first nationwide ground stop since January 2023, when a key FAA computer system malfunctioned.
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- Associated Press — FAA says flights are halted at US airports due to air traffic control communications problems
- The Guardian — Nationwide FAA ground stop: nearly 11,000 flights delayed or canceled at airports across the US
- KCRA 3 Sacramento — FAA issues a nationwide ground stop for 'reasons of safety'
- WRAL News — The Latest: FAA grounds all flights nationwide due to communications problems :: WRAL.com
- NBC Bay Area — Nationwide ground stop: How Bay Area airports and travelers are impacted
- mprnews.org — National ground stop issued by FAA for U.S. airports
- vtdigger.org — Flights halted at Burlington airport and across US due to air traffic control communications problems
- kvue.com — FAA grounds flights nationwide due to communication issue impacting all air traffic control centers