The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has grounded all flights in the United States, citing “extraordinary circumstances and reasons of safety.” The move leaves at least 3,100 airborne aircraft bound for US airports, with no additional aircraft permitted to take off.
The warning stated that “all departing traffic should remain ground stopped until further notice.” It also noted that “inbound international flights will be managed on a case-by-case basis.”
Communications Problem Hits Air Traffic Control
The alert first appeared on the FAA website but was soon removed. It was later reported that a communications problem had impacted all Air Route Traffic Control Centers.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a social media post: “FAA technicians are investigating the issue. We will provide immediate updates as we have them.”
Flight Cancellations Spread to the UK
In the immediate aftermath, flight cancellations hit far and wide, including in the UK. A 10.30pm flight from Heathrow to JFK, New York, was cancelled in minutes.
Nationwide ground stops are extremely rare and are only issued in times of emergency. There has not been a nationwide ground stop since January 2023, when a pilot notification system went down. Prior to that, the last ground stop was issued after the September 11, 2001, attacks.
