The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) halted all takeoffs from airports in the United States on Friday afternoon. The reason is a communications failure at air traffic control centers.
The decision was announced at 3:54 p.m. Eastern time (2:54 p.m. in Chicago) “due to extraordinary circumstances and for safety reasons.” The ground stop remains in effect until further notice.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said communications failed at all 22 regional air traffic control centers, which guide aircraft on routes between airports. FAA technicians are investigating the problem. Its source has not yet been disclosed.
Planes already in the air are continuing their flights and landing. International arrivals are being evaluated case by case. In Chicago, takeoffs from O’Hare and Midway airports were halted even before the nationwide decision.
It is only the second such ban since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The previous one, in January 2023, lasted less than two hours.
Even after the ban is lifted, delays will last many hours. Passengers should check their flight status with their airline.
