FAA Implements Nationwide Ground Stop Over ATC Communication Problems
The Federal Aviation Administration halted departures at all U.S. airports on Friday after communication and radar issues affected multiple air traffic control centers.
The Federal Aviation Administration announced a nationwide ground stop on Friday afternoon, pausing departures at all U.S. airports after communication problems impacted several Air Route Traffic Control Centers, according to an FAA statement. The agency said technicians are investigating the issue and that inbound international flights will be handled individually.
The ground stop, which suspends flights at their departure points until further notice, follows a rare precedent; the FAA previously issued a nationwide halt in January 2023 due to a pilot alert system malfunction and after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Airlines reported that the disruptions were linked to both communication and radar difficulties, as noted in an internal message from Alaska Airlines seen by CNBC.