All flights at US airports grounded ‘due to extraordinary circumstances’

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Nationwide ground stops are extremely rare.

All flights in the United States have been grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration.

It cited ‘extraordinary circumstances and reasons of safety’ as the basis for doing so, leaving at least 3,100 airborne aircraft bound for US airports, which may land, and no additional aircraft permitted to take off.

Initial figures from FlightAware suggest 7,000 flights have been affected. The number is expected to rise.

The warning did not instantly contain any further information but stated that ‘all departing traffic should remain ground stopped until further notice’.

‘Inbound international flights will be managed on a case-by-case basis,’ the announcement added.

It was later reported that a communications problem has impacted all Air Route Traffic Control Centers, but the FBI reportedly does not believe this resulted from a cyberattack or act of criminality.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy added in a social media post: ‘FAA technicians are investigating the issue. We will provide immediate updates as we have them.’

The US FAA Chicago Center said loss of ‘all frequencies and automation for handoff and strips’ was behind the stop.

No indication has been given around when the ground stop may be lifted, but Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the incident would ‘take some time’ to rectify.

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