Ground stop lasts five hours before Nashville flights resume

The Federal Aviation Administration lifted a nationwide ground stop at approximately 7:15 p.m. on Friday, ending a five-hour halt that paused all takeoffs across the United States. This pause in air traffic is a rare occurrence, having happened only two other times in the agency's history.

Travelers at Nashville International Airport spent the afternoon in a state of high uncertainty as the order took effect. Many passengers were already seated in their aircraft when pilots announced the stoppage over the intercom. Aaron Donofrio and Lindsay Jacobs found themselves in that situation. After disembarking, they spent several hours locating their checked bags among a large pile of unclaimed luggage on the baggage claim area.

"We're now on hour three or four," Donofrio said.

Other passengers scrambled to adjust their itineraries. Some searched for available hotel rooms, while others tried to secure rental cars or rideshare services. Samantha Umland, who was traveling from Denver, described the scene at the terminal. "When I got here it was just like craziness, madness. A lot of lines. A lot of people just sitting and waiting," she said.

Rental car queues lengthened as drivers considered alternative ways to reach their final destinations. Medical student Rojin Lari arrived at the airport with a Saturday flight to Chicago on her mind. She needed to arrive in time for a residency interview scheduled for Monday. "Even if they say the flights are back on, it's not going to be a guarantee to be anywhere on Monday," Lari said.

As of Friday evening, the airport had begun processing departures. However, the backlog has not cleared. Many flights originally scheduled to leave Nashville remain delayed, and a portion of the remaining schedule has been canceled. Passengers are continuing to wait for updated boarding times or new travel arrangements.

The FAA did not provide a specific reason for the initial ground stop in the immediate report. The agency confirmed the order was in effect for about five hours before it was lifted. Air traffic control continues to manage the flow of incoming and outgoing planes at the Nashville facility.