FAA grounds all US departing flights after major communications outage

The US Federal Aviation Administration ordered a nationwide ground stop for all departing flights on Friday after experiencing severe air traffic control communications problems. The agency stated that aircraft already in the air are permitted to land, while international flights are being managed on a case-by-case basis.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that technicians are actively investigating the nationwide telecommunications failure. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said there is no evidence of a cyberattack, calling the event a telecommunications outage.

Friday's disruption marks only the second nationwide ground stop of all departures since the September 11, 2001 attacks. The previous nationwide halt occurred in January 2023, when domestic departures were paused for less than two hours.

The US National Weather Service simultaneously reported nationwide internet and communications issues affecting its systems. The weather agency noted that the disruptions could prevent users from accessing online weather products or result in outdated information.

Congress approved $12.5 billion last year to upgrade the aviation agency's aging communications infrastructure. On Friday, the FAA and the White House requested an additional $30.1 billion from Congress to address other operational issues.

What do these terms mean?

ground stop: An air traffic control measure that halts departures at affected airports to manage air traffic flow or address safety hazards.

telecommunications outage: A loss of operational connectivity caused by failures in digital data or voice transmission networks.