WASHINGTON, DC — THE United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered a ground stop for all departing flights across the country following a communication issue affecting air traffic control operations.
Under the directive, all departing flights have been placed on hold, while inbound flights are reportedly being allowed to land on a case-by-case basis.
Media reports said the disruption was linked to communication problems affecting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers, raising concerns about the potential impact on air travel nationwide.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the development in a social media post, stating that the FAA had issued a ground stop for all US airports following a communication issue affecting the country's air traffic control centres.
NBC News also reported that two major airports in Chicago had implemented ground stops amid what was described as an equipment outage.
A nationwide ground stop of this scale is unusual, as such restrictions are generally imposed on individual airports or specific regions in response to weather conditions, technical problems or other operational concerns.
Media reports have pointed to similar nationwide disruptions in 2011 and 2023, underscoring the rarity of the latest development.
The ground stop is expected to affect flight schedules across the United States, with possible delays and disruptions for passengers as aviation authorities work to address the issue.
