US flight authority orders national ground stop over air traffic control 'communication issue'
10 hours ago
The US flight authority on Friday halted flights across the nation due to what US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said was a communication issue affecting the country's air traffic control centres.
A file photo of a Boeing 737 MAX 10 test aircraft standing on the tarmac during an event marking the FAA certification of the aircraft at Boeing's Everett Delivery Center in Everett, Washington, US, October 20, 2026. © Jason Redmond, Reuters
The US Federal Aviation Administration grounded all departing flights nationwide on Friday after a communications failure hit air traffic control centres across the country, disrupting thousands of flights.
The announcement means planes in the air may land, but those on the ground cannot take off. Flight tracking service FlightAware said nearly 7,000 flights were delayed or cancelled due to the nationwide ground stop.
“The FAA issued a nationwide ground stop for all US airports following a communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centres. FAA technicians are investigating the issue. We will provide immediate updates as we have them,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.
The disruption is the latest sign of strain on the US air traffic control system, which has been beset by equipment failures, communications problems and shortages of controllers while the FAA tries to replace ageing infrastructure. Congress approved $12.5 billion for the overhaul last year, and the FAA and White House asked lawmakers on Friday for another $30.1 billion.
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