LIVE: FAA issues nationwide ground stop after communications outage in US

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed a nationwide ground stop on all departing flights at U.S. airports due to extraordinary circumstances and safety concerns. The ground stop, the first of its kind in recent history, was issued following a communication issue affecting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers across the country.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy announced the decision on social media, stating that FAA technicians are currently investigating the issue. The FAA has provided an update on the ground stop's status and will offer further information as it becomes available. The ground stop was officially posted on the FAA's National Airspace System Status website.

All airports within the Federal Aviation Command Center's jurisdiction were ordered to ground their departing aircraft, while inbound international flights will be handled on a case-by-case basis by the Air Traffic Control System Command Center. Shortly before the nationwide ground stop was implemented, both Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport were each individually placed under a ground stop due to an equipment failure.

This ongoing situation is being closely monitored and will be further reported as more information emerges.