All US departures grounded nationwide over safety concerns, communication glitch

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the disruption was caused by a communication issue affecting all air route traffic control centres across the country.US airports halted all departing flights nationwide after a communication issue disrupted air traffic control operations, with authorities citing safety concerns. (Reuters Photo)The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Friday ordered a nationwide ground stop for all departing flights, citing "extraordinary circumstance and reasons for safety", after a communication issue disrupted air traffic control operations across the country.The ground stop means aircraft already in the air can continue to their destinations and land, but flights on the ground cannot take off until further notice.US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the disruption was caused by a communication issue affecting all air route traffic control centres across the country."FAA technicians are investigating the issue," Duffy said, adding that the agency had imposed the nationwide restrictions as a precaution. Earlier, the FAA had halted departing traffic in Chicago following reports of serious air traffic control communication problems. It subsequently directed all departing flights to remain grounded until further notice.International flights will be handled on a case-by-case basis, the FAA said. Friday's order marked the second time since the September 11, 2001, attacks that the FAA has imposed a nationwide ground stop on all departing flights. The previous instance occurred in January 2023, when the agency halted domestic departures for less than two hours after a technical failure in its Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system, which provides pilots with critical information about airport conditions, navigation facilities and other flight-related restrictionsThe latest disruption comes as the FAA works to modernise its ageing communications infrastructure. Congress approved $12.5 billion last year to upgrade the agency's communications systems.On Friday, the FAA and the White House also sought an additional $30.1 billion from Congress to address other problems facing the agency.- Ends