In the USA, flights have been grounded at all airports across the country
On Friday, November 13, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered a halt to flight departures at all airports across the country. The unprecedented restrictions were imposed due to communication problems in the air traffic control system.
This was reported by Reuters and Axios, citing the Federal Aviation Administration.
The FAA announced a nationwide ground stop, citing extraordinary circumstances and the need to ensure flight safety.
According to the aviation regulator's order, all aircraft preparing to depart from US airports must remain on the ground until further notice.
However, the restrictions do not mean a complete closure of US airspace. Aircraft already in the air continue to operate under the control of air traffic control.
A separate procedure is provided for international flights arriving in the United States. Decisions regarding their handling will be made on a case-by-case basis.
The FAA confirmed that the restrictions were caused by communication disruptions affecting several regional air traffic control centers.
These centers are primarily responsible for guiding aircraft at high altitudes and coordinating air traffic between airports.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also reported problems in the air traffic control communication system. According to him, FAA technical specialists are working to determine the causes of the failure.
At the time of the first official reports, no timeline for restoring normal air service was given. The regulator promised to provide additional information as the situation develops.
A nationwide ground stop is an exceptionally rare measure for the American aviation system.
The previous large-scale failure occurred in January 2023, when due to a malfunction of the NOTAM pilot notification system, US authorities also temporarily suspended domestic flight departures. At that time, the incident led to massive flight delays and cancellations.
The current restrictions could affect both domestic US air travel and international flights connected to US airports. Passengers are advised to check the status of their flights directly with airlines.
