FAA outage update: Sean Duffy assures passengers ‘it is safe to fly’ as US flight operations slowly returning to normal

US flight operations resumed after technical problems disrupted FAA radar and communications systems, causing thousands of cancellations and delays. Air travel across the United States is gradually recovering following a nationwide Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ground stop that disrupted thousands of flights on Friday. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has assured passengers that flight operations are resuming safely, although delays and cancellations are expected to continue as airlines work to restore normal schedules.US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy gives an update on the aviation ground stop in the White House briefing room in Washington, DC, on November 13, 2026. (AFP)Sean Duffy confirms gradual recovery of flight operationsIn a statement posted on X on Saturday morning, Duffy said, “Operations are slowly returning to normal this morning. Planes are pushing back, taxiing, and taking off, and it is safe to fly.”The disruption began Friday afternoon after technical problems affected radar and telecommunications systems used by air traffic controllers. Inconsistent radar information and communication difficulties prompted the FAA to suspend departures nationwide as a precautionary safety measure.Deep DiveThousands of flights affected by nationwide disruptionThe nationwide ground stop was lifted at approximately 8:15 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, allowing airlines to gradually restart services. However, the operational impact continued into Saturday, with aircraft and flight crews displaced across the country.FlightAware figures cited by ABC News showed more than 12,500 cancellations across Friday and Saturday by Saturday morning, alongside thousands of delays.Airlines work to restore normal schedulesDuffy acknowledged that passengers should expect continued inconvenience while airlines reorganize their operations. He said the government was working closely with carriers to support the recovery.“You will continue to see some delays and cancellations as carriers reschedule flights and reposition aircraft/crews where they are needed most. Our top priority right now is making sure travelers get home safely to their families as quickly as possible,” he said.The transportation secretary also praised air traffic controllers, pilots and flight crews for working around the clock, thanking them for their professionalism and dedication.FAA infrastructure modernization under spotlightThe disruption has renewed attention on America's ageing air traffic control infrastructure. Duffy has called for a $50 billion investment in modernization.Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said investigators had not identified evidence of a cyberattack, although the investigation was continuing.Passengers urged to check flight statusPassengers have been advised to confirm flight information directly with their airlines and monitor the FAA's official website, nasstatus.faa.gov, for real-time airport updates.Duffy also announced a scheduled press briefing at 10:30 a.m. ET at the Department of Transportation headquarters to provide further information about the recovery.Shweta Kukreti has over 8 years of experience in covering Indian and world politics. She joined the Hindustan Times in 2024 and is primarily assigned to the US desk. She currently works as Deputy Chief Content Producer and reports on a wide range of topics, including US politics, immigration issues (especially H-1B visa) and major global events. Shweta strongly emphasizes team operations, which encompasses monitoring news, delegating tasks, editing, developing comprehensive coverage strategies, and crafting engaging, and data-informed narratives. She received the Digi Star Award at the Hindustan Times within a year of joining for her broad coverage of US politics. In 2025, she earned both a promotion and a redesignation, a significant achievement recognising her contributions and the strong value she brings to the team. She has previously worked with the Indian Express, HTDS, ANI and Republic World. Seniors in all the media organisations recognised her work. Regarding education, she earned a BA (Hons.) in Political Science and a master's degree from Delhi University, and she pursued a PG Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institution of Mass Communication (IIMC). She also holds a diploma in Women's Empowerment and Development from IGNOU University and a French certification course from Alliance Française de Delhi. If not working, you can find her exploring the hills and engaging in adventurous activities in Rishikesh and Himachal Pradesh. She loves to play badminton, volleyball, and chess, and spend time with her friends and family. She also enjoys spiritual activities.Read More