FAA Orders Nationwide Flight Ground Stop
Secretary Duffy cites a communication issue affecting all air traffic control centers, leaving thousands of departures on the ground.
By Mariana Flores ·
The Federal Aviation Administration ordered all departing flights to hold on the ground across the United States on Friday afternoon. The agency cited extraordinary circumstances and safety reasons for the directive, which remains in effect until further notice.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy identified the cause as a communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers. He stated that FAA technicians are currently investigating the problem and that the department will provide immediate updates as information becomes available.
As of 4:15 p.m., FlightAware data showed more than 9,000 flight delays and over 1,200 cancellations nationwide. The report noted that Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Love Field did not show an unusually high volume of disruptions at that specific time compared to other regions.
A DFW spokesperson said travelers should check with their airlines for specific delay and cancellation details. A representative for Love Field noted a slight increase in terminal occupancy due to check-in delays. The airport asked passengers to exercise patience and follow staff instructions while the FAA resolves the issue.
An American Airlines pilot, who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly, said the company had not yet sent a message to its flight crew regarding the stoppage.
Law enforcement officials told CNN that a cyberattack is not suspected to be the cause of the outage. The FAA issued a similar alert in 2023 when its messaging system for pilots went down.
The agency is currently overhauling its aging infrastructure. Congress appropriated $12.5 billion last year to replace equipment, and the White House and FAA officials requested an additional $30.1 billion in funding last week.
