FAA issues nationwide ground stop ‘due to extraordinary circumstances' and ‘safety'

According to the advisory from the FAA, all aircraft operators were told that airports were ground stopped and all departing traffic should remain grounded "until further notice."

The Details

• By Alex Dvorak
• Published 49 minutes ago
• Updated 58 seconds ago

The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a nationwide ground stop at all airports "due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety."

According to the advisory from the FAA Friday, all aircraft operators were told "by order of the Federal Aviation Command Center" that airports were ground stopped and all departing traffic should remain grounded "until further notice."

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"Inbound flights will be managed on a case by case basis," the alert stated.

Moments earlier, both major airports in Chicago were listed under a ground stop due to an "equipment outage."

Further details on the reason for the nationwide stop were not immediately clear.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy confirmed the ground stop saying it followed "a communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers."

"FAA technicians are investigating the issue. We will provide immediate updates as we have them," he said.

Air travel

Why FAA says it issued a ground stop for airports nationwide Federal Aviation Administration More than 250 flights delayed at O'Hare, Midway amid nationwide FAA ground stop The @FAAnews issued a nationwide ground stop for all U.S. airports following a communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers. FAA technicians are investigating the issue. We will provide immediate updates as we have them. — Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy)

More than 200 flights were delayed at Chicago's airports Friday afternoon.

The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday issued a nationwide ground stop at all airports "due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety."

As of 3:11 p.m., the Chicago Department of Aviation reported 213 delays at O'Hare International Airport and another 55 at Midway International Airport.

United Airlines, which is headquartered in Chicago, said it was responding to the ground stop and "flights that are already airborne will continue."

"New domestic flights will not depart while the FAA ground stop remains in place," the airline said. "United will work with our customers to get them to their destinations once this issue is resolved."

Check back for more on this developing story.